Bekasi – Taken from a story about the land of Bali, Barong Landung was performed on the stage of the Amani Palladium Theater on January 23, 2020. This Barong Landung performance is rich in a blend of Hindu and Chinese culture, wrapped in music, dance, roles and visuals. Behind this theatre performance, which lasted for one and a half hours, was Indah Suci Permatasari as Production Manager.
Warmadewa Dynasty and The Chinese Merchant
The story told of a Balinese king from the Warmadewa dynasty, Sri Jaya Pangus (Ashraf Jamal) who married Kang Cing We (Veronica Vidya Putri), the daughter of a Chinese merchant. But as time passed, they were not yet blessed with offspring. So Jaya Pangus decided to meditate on Mount Batur.
King Sri Jaya Pangus and Kang Cing We
On his way to Mount Batur, the king ran into Dewi Danu. Jaya Pangus fell in love with the goddess, and claimed that he was single. They started having an affair, and then married. Kang Cing We, who felt uneasy because her husband had been gone too long, finally followed Jaya Pangus to where he was supposed to be imprisoned.
King Jaya Pangus and Dewi Danu
But Kang Cing We felt bitter when she learned that Jaya Pangus was married and had a child with Dewi Danu. Kang Cing We and Dewi Danu started fighting in an unequal fight, and it ended with a curse that killed Jaya Pangus and Cing We.
Jaya Pangus had a child with Dewi Danu
Hearing of the death of the king and his empress, the whole kingdom felt sorrow and made a pair of statues which are now called Barong Landung as a reminder and a sign of respect for the royal leader.
Article by Puella
Photo by Putri Syifa
