Bali hails resurgence with colossal 'kecak'

The amazing performance of more than 5.000 'kecak' dancers Friday night at the sacred Tanah lot Hindu temple in Tabanan regency, south of provincial capital Denpasar, was expected to give a signal to the world that Bali is recovering after it was hit hard by bombing in October 2002 and October 2005. Bali has made thousands of effort to revive its ailing tourist industry since the island was hit by the two terrorist attacks. One of its endeavors was told this "Cakolosal 5000" performance involving dancers, students, government officials, villagers and local community group members.

initiated by Tabanan Regent Adi Wiryatama, the performance was aimed at uniting Balinese from diverse walks of life to stand together and face the more difficult challenges ahead. The Kecak dance is one of Bali's communal artistic activities and generally involves around 50 to 150 people in each performance.

Commissioned initially by German artist Walter Spies from a group of Balinese dancers in Gianyar's bedulu village, the kecak dance has grown to became one of Bali's most popular dances. the number of dancers in the Cakolosal performance reached 6.400 people, who had practiced more than four months for the event. The event was highlighted by a number of other dances dedicated to the god of the sea and all deities who protect the paradise isle.