Kecak, also known as tari kecakilolahhe in Indonesian, is a type of Balinese Hindu dance and music theatre that originated in Bali, Indonesia, in the 1930s. Since its inception, men have performed it almost exclusively; the first women’s kecak ensemble established in 2006.

We had a chance of watching this incredible performance this time when we visited Bali. The set up is against the backdrop of gorgeous setting sun in Uluwatu Sea Temple. The most interesting fact about this show is that there is no music. All the sounds are created by the performers. I was amazed at their lung capacity and the enthusiasm never dropped.

Watch the amazing performance on my Youtube channel here – https://youtu.be/B5g9qQXcLgQ

The clips in my video includes the parts of Hindu epic Ramayana. You will see the scenes of Sita sending Ram & Lakshman after Gold Mrig and Ravan Kidnapping Sita. Jatayu tries to save Sita but gets killed. Then comes Hanuman and the best part of the show when they capture hanuman and set his tail on fire. He escapes and sets Lanka on fire.

The Kecak Dance of the Uluwatu temple is a pioneer in drawing a sizable part of tourists from all over the world among all the major traditional arts, theatre, and dance in Bali. One of Indonesia’s most recognisable glimmers of its rich cultural past is the Kecak Dance of Bali. It is a type of classical Hindu dance that is based on the tales from the well-known epic “The Ramayana.”

At around 6:00 PM, the Kecak dance performance begins in the sparse light of the setting sun. A big group of approximately 75 male dancers enter the stage and perform the first five chapters of The Ramayana at varied tempos depending on the atmosphere of the scene. The performance concludes with a magnificent rite that involves lighting up the central torch against the deep, dark sky while gradually singing in unison. The atmosphere is too compelling to pass up the opportunity to experience at least once in a lifetime when the silhouette of the fire against the night sky and the sound of the ocean combine.

Due to the dense jungles that surround the Uluwatu Temple and are home to numerous monkeys and long-tailed macaques, it is imperative to carry food and other necessities in fully covered bags or backpacks to protect them from the animals’ teeth.

Obtaining dancing tickets is not at all a difficult task. One to two hours before the dance starts at around 5:00 PM, you can walk up to the ticket booths without making an appointment. Because to the presence of many guarded routes, wild animals, and extremely steep slopes, the route to the temple may be difficult for pilgrims from the plains. Therefore, it is usually suggested to wear proper shoes and stay away from slippers to reduce any unwelcome incidents and the amount of trouble while travelling to the temple.