 | The Barong and her partner, the playful monkey, appear on the stage. This short dramatic form is served as the introductory scene “ngelembar” to the main theme of “Sunda-Upasunda” dance-drama in which Barong will be versatile character in the storyline and the monkey exits off stage.
Barong resembling a tigress is accompanied by her partner, the monkey, searching for food stuffs in the forest. The tiger is very surprised to encounter the greedy monkey cunningly plundering at the food stuffs they have collected together. Being very angry at the selfish monkey the tiger immediately pounces on him biting his tail.
“Sunda-Upasunda” Dance-drama
Two clowns, Punta and Wijil appear on the stage. They are servants of the two demonic tyrannies, Sunda and Upasunda who wish to acquire magic power through ascetic meditation. |
| | The demonic masters accompanied by their loyal servants set off to the mountain after receiving meat and food offering provided by villagers.
As they are convinced ascetic on the peak of a mountain, Gods send heavenly nymphs to break their penance, but the nymphs find them in deep trance and desperately return to heaven.
The most beautiful nymph, Ken Sulasih appears who dance before them, embracing one by one, displaying her charms and employing every artifice to attract them both. The two demons show sign of coming to life when Sulasih kisses them. They become enamored of Ken Sulasih and each claims that God has sent the nymph to be betrothed to no one but himself. A quarrel ensures and eventually they engage in deadly duel fight over Ken Sulasih. |  |
| |  | The younger, Upasunda immediately takes a frightening shape of an evil witch, Rangda, and viciously tries to devour his brother, Sunda, who becomes furious and wants to equal his rival’s supernatural power by also transforming himself into huge Barong.
The fight continues when Rangda almost becomes a victor Barong shifts his power into Keris dancers and fiercely attacks the Rangda.
Due to the magic found in the piece of white cloth in her hands, the kerises in the hands of the men turn against them, but the magic of the Barong hardens their flesh so that although they push the sharp points of the keris with all their might against their chests they are not even hurt. |
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