Calon Arang Dance

Calon Arang is usually known as a wicked witch. Pramoedya Ananta Toer rewrote the story for children, lending prominence to the conflict between evil, represented by Calon Arang, and virtue, Mpu Baradah. Contemporary interpretation, however, has put Calon Arang in a different perspective. Famed poet Goenawan Mohamad, for example, sees Calon Arang in a conflict between the central and marginal. Calon Arang is the marginalized figure in the Kingdom of Daha.

The story, set in the 11th century, tells that in Dirah village Calon Arang has a beautiful daughter, Ratna Manggali. Ratna cannot find a match because people are afraid of her witchcraft. Fruitlessly waiting for a young man who will propose for the hand of her daughter, Calon Arang becomes furious and asks Batari Durga, the Hindu goddess of destruction, for permission to destroy the villagers for ostracizing her.

Durga grants her wish and calamities befall the village of Dirah. Reports of these calamities come to the seat of Daha Kingdom. The king later instructs Mpu Baradah, the best priest in the country, to deal with the matter. Baradah sends his pupil, Mpu Kebo Bahula, to Calon Arang to propose to her to marry Ratna Manggali. So to speak, Bahula gets married with Ratna. Later, Bahula asks his wife why her mother always goes out at night. She tells him all and finally gives him her mother's magic book. Bahula gives the book to his master and this brings the doom of Calon Arang.

The priest sent his son to ask for the hand of Ratna Menggali. Calon Arang was pleased by the offer. The plague subsided, and the couple wed.

Calon Arang had in her possession a lontar (palmleaf book) of black magic teachings. Her son-in-law one day found it and gave it to his father, who then deciphered the formulas to the widow's secret powers. When Calon Arang discovered Mpu Bharadah had learned her secrets, she was enraged and declared war upon him. The priest had no choice but to fight and, in a deadly struggle of sorcery, destroyed the widow by casting a spell. Before she died, Calon Arang asked forgiveness. Mpu Bharadah absolved her deeds and showed her the way to heaven

The story has many variations, and no two Calon Arang plays are exactly the same. Essentially, the play is a drama of magic that serves as a powerful exorcism of evil spirits aligned with the witch-queen Rangda. By dramatizing Calonarang as Rangda atthe heightof hermagical powers, it is hoped the performance will gain the witch's favor and appease her appetite for destruction.

Other;Dissimilar story which also often presented in drama dance is Basur story, a folklore which is very popular among Bali society. Because at some part from it show present the scene try a fall and impenetrability ( modelling scene of death bangke-bangkean, jabing rangda with the cold steel freely) hence Calonarang is often considered to be a show of the impenetrability ( mind ).

The core of this drama dance represent the solidarity from three important element, namely Babarongan deputized by Barong Ket, Rangda And Celuluk, Pagambuhan element deputized by Inclineing, Putri, Patih Manis ( Panji) And Patih Keras ( Pandung) and Palegongan deputized by Sisiya-Sisiya ( pupils).

The other Important figure from this drama dance is Matah Gede and Bondres. Because the performance, dramatari always entangled with Barong Ket, Calonarang is often compared to Barong Ket. Calonarang show usually accompanied by Gamelan Semar Pagulingan, Bebarongan, and also Gong Kebyar. From the facet of staging place, Calonarang show usually conducted near the grave ( Pura Dalem) and its staging arena is always provided with a high hall ( trajangan or tingga) and papaya tree.