asmaradhana is an exploratory space in reflecting life experiences by Maria Melania Lallo. Most of her work is inspired by culture, tradition, and spiritualism.

Why, King of Lasem?

the legong dance in bali: i see it as life and its complexities summarized in a live performance.

From one side, it’s a story of tragedy between two people in love, but from the other side it shows how dark human ego can be.

I see the beauty of three girl dancers

Across my dreams in colorful costumes perform it

A heroic romance in a vivid situation, how can i not remember?

When you see two maidens danced for a gamelan music

Even the prince of Sukawati fell for it

King Lasem wants to marry the girl, but she ran away

Give her not praise. Nor tears.

Say only this, ‘I’m not capturing you, I’m not going to imprison you’

For Layonsari it is not easy to be loved

Yet it is not impossible

Then it was a spook. None wears the face he knew

A monstrous raven came. foretold his death

The great death has made all his for evermore.

 

2021

Markle