Yogyakarta’s Masterpiece of Epic Dance and Drama
The Ramayana Ballet Dance is a breathtaking theatrical performance that brings to life an ancient Hindu epic originally born in India, beautifully adapted over centuries into the heart of Javanese culture. The legendary tale begins with the heroic Prince Sri Rama winning an archery competition held by King Janaka of the Mantili Kingdom, earning the hand of the beautiful Princess Shinta. However, royal intrigue strikes when Rama’s stepmother, Queen Kaikeyi, demands that King Dasaratha exile Rama to the wild Dandaka Forest for a period of time so that his own son, Bharata, can ascend the throne of Ayodhya. Accompanied by his loyal brother Laksmana and his devoted wife Shinta, Rama accepts his exile, living peacefully among the forest ascetics.
The tranquility is shattered one afternoon when Shinta spots a mesmerizing golden deer dancing through the trees and asks Rama to capture it. Unknownst to them, the deer is a magical incarnation of Maricha, a demon sorcerer serving the villainous King Ravana of Alengka. While Rama and Laksmana are lured away by the chase, Rahwana sneaks into their sanctuary and kidnaps Shinta, flying her away toward his kingdom. The mythical bird king, Jatayu, bravely intercepts Ravana in mid-air to rescue the princess, but he is mortally wounded in the fierce battle. Before taking his final breath, Jatayu manages to inform the pursuing Sri Rama that Shinta has been stolen by the demon king of Alengka.
Determined to save his wife, Rama’s quest leads him deep into the mystical simian kingdom of Kiskenda. There, Rama helps the monkey king, Sugriwa, defeat his tyrannical twin brother, Vali. In deepest gratitude, Sugriwa and his divine white warrior monkey general, Hanuman, pledge their massive army to Rama’s cause. Hanuman journeys to Alengka as an elite ambassador, famously setting the demon city ablaze. In the epic finale, the simian army constructs a magnificent stone bridge across the ocean to Alengka, leading to a cataclysmic war. Ravana and his dark forces are decisively defeated, allowing Sri Rama to safely rescue Shinta and return in triumph to reclaim the throne of Ayodhya.
Performance Schedules & Venues in Yogyakarta:
To experience this timeless epic live on stage, visitors to Yogyakarta can choose between two world-class venues:
1. Purawisata (Downtown Yogyakarta)
An intimate, legendary indoor theater located right in the heart of the city center, performing daily without exception.
- Royal Dinner Buffet: 19:00 – 20:00 (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Ballet Performance: 20:00 – 21:30 (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
2. Prambanan Open-Air Theater (Prambanan Temple Complex)
A world-famous, grand open-air amphitheater performed on a rotating seasonal schedule, featuring the magnificent, illuminated towers of the 9th-century Prambanan Temple as a live background.
- Outdoor Dinner Buffet: 18:30 – 19:30 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
- Ballet Performance: 19:30 – 21:30 (7:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
