Arja & Drama Gong

A perfomance of Arja Balinese Folk Opera can hold an entire village engrossed from late evening until nearly sunrise. Love stories drawn from the classic of the ancients kingdoms of Java are re-enact with all the tragicomedy and romantic ingredients guaranteed to appeal to audiences. The royal characters move in a slow stylized dance and sing and talk in a high falsetto using high Balinese which is translated into common language by the comedians. Arja has lost some of its popularity in recent year in favour of the Drama Gong, which has less music and dance and therefore is much easier understood by the masses, by the comedians.