These images depict the Wayang Wong dance drama, performed in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia during the festival of Kuningan. The Wayang Wong dance is taken from the Hindu epic Ramayana (originally performed as shadow puppet theater), and features masked performers and a percussion orchestra. The dance depicts a struggle between good and evil: the struggle to defeat the greedy King Rawana by an army of monkeys and Rawa, the reincarnated God Vishnu.
Balinese dance is an ancient Hindu tradition, performed for entertainment, ceremony and sacred purposes. Children begin learning the many hand positions and gestures (mudras) at a young age. The precision and passion in which Balinese dance is performed is beautiful and inspiring. A true art form!
