What Indonesia - Bali is all about ?

They ran and ran, one behind the other, till they came to Civa's World. And Civa was very much astonished to see the crowd arriving with Durga at their heels, and he asked her why she was pursuing his children. She replied: 'Because your beastly children have been fighting with mine.' And he was astonished and said: 'Where did you get children from?' And when he heard the story he was furious with his wife and ordered her never to show her face in heaven again. He condemned her to remain for ever in the graveyard, and placed Kalekek there to keep an eye on her. And Civa gave Kaliekek the name of Banaspati Raja. And the followers of Banaspati Raja (the kris-dancers) are all wanting to kill Durga on occasions when it seems as if Kalekek might lose, and because they are forbidden to kill her their rage is appeased on their own bodies.

We have not met with any stage version of this curious story, but Kalawenara, and Kalekek do appear as brother and sister in the service of Civa in a Barong play at Tegaltamoe. In this play Kalekek, who is Civa's cook, has received permission to come down to Bali and taste real rice, for she is tired of the immaterial and invisible essence of the offerings which alone reaches heaven.

The play takes place on the graveyard itself, outside the Poera Dalem, under the shade of a great banyan-tree. A flight of steps leads up to the temple gateway, and a further flight to a high battlement inside the first court is very effectively used for the entry of various important characters. After offerings have been made by the pemangkoe, and the Barong, in a glossy coat of crows' feathers, has danced his usual introductory solo, exhibiting his rich repertory of steps and attitudes, a splendid functionary (the penasar) postures in the gateway with his comic companion, announcing the coming of Kalawenara, who soon appears in Djaoek costume above the temple wall, gesticulating with long-nailed gloves. He does a vivid, explorative dance, darting the glitter of his fixed, protruding eyes hither and thither as he rapidly zigzags over the ground, admirably expressing by his peering, inquisitive gestures, restless movements, and reflective poses his search for Kalekek; for the play begins with his arrival on earth alarmed by his sister's long absence. After a spectacular dance all disappear into the temple.

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