Dance of the Monkey King
Part of the ethos of Canto is introducing the choir to the widest variety of music from all kinds of genres, eras and traditions
Let me take you on an exploratory journey of community music from the island of Bali, Indonesia with the Kecak. (pronounced 'Keh-chak")
During the 1930s a German painter and musician called Walter Spies lived in Bali. He developed a fascination with the Kecak which originated as a trance ritual and adapted it as a play incorporating Indonesian traditional dance.
Lasting about an hour, it enacts an epic Hindu story of the battle between Rama (the Monkey King) and his army of monkeys and Ravana and his troop of demons.
Here is a tiny clip that demonstrates some of the key characteristics of the music. The kecak is usually performed by groups of men sitting in concentric circles. The movement of their bodies and arms are just as important as the vocalisations. One individual has the job of laying down the beat chanting a metronomic “poh poh poh”. This enables the others to perform percussive intricate interlocking rhythmical chants imitating the chattering of the monkeys. Performers come from local villages. The amazing skill of tight accurate rhythm with sudden tempo changes is also reflected in the playing of the Gamelan orchestra.
Listen and watch this tiny extract which portrays the two battling sides and marvel at the rhythmic accuracy of the interlocking chants. (Double-click the video for full screen)
An example of Balinese Gamelan
Just like the Kecak notice the metronomic beat that keeps the intricate interlocking rhythms together. The dancers in the latter half of this video wear beautifully ornate costumes and make-up. Observe the stylised precise movement of hands, fingers, eyes and facial expressions.