How Bali’s ‘Kecak’ gives the Ramayana a new voice

As theatre productions look beyond conventional auditoriums to connect with new audiences, malls, public spaces and community venues are increasingly being transformed into stages. At Orion Mall in Bengaluru, the story of Sita and Hanuman unfolded in a way that was both familiar and novel. There were no fancy costumes, elaborate orchestra or recorded soundtracks. Instead, a circle of performers in black-and-white checked sarongs created their own soundscape, their voices rising and falling in a relentless chorus of “cak, cak, cak”. The rhythmic chants gathered momentum, transforming human voices into a pulsating musical ensemble.