Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Jayaprana and Layonsari: the Story of Balinese Romeo and Juliet

Two villagers, I Nyoman Jayaprana (favourite servant of the Kingof Kalianget in Singaraja) met with Ni Nyoman Layonsari (daughter Jero Bandesa Banjar Sekar). Since their meeting in a market, Layonsari and Jayaprana were deeply in love. They finally agreed to get married and have prepared everything for their wedding. However, their marriage did not last long as the King of Kalianget fall in love with the beauty of Layonsari. The King used every trick available to separate this couple.


Finally, the King sent Jayaprana to the gulf of Teluk Terima on a mission along with the vice of the king, Sawunggaling, who then stabbed him in a forest so he died.

By pretending to mourn the death of his beloved servant, while offering compassion, King of Kalianget seduce Layonsari to come to the castle with him.

However, this request was rejected by Layonsari who found out that her husband had been murdered by agents of the king. Unwilling to accept such refusal, the king was furious, and then attempted to force Layonsari.

During her struggle to release herlself from the king, Layonsari withdrew the king's dagger and stab helself. Seeing this action, the king went mad and kills everyone who approached him.

The story ends tragically with the deaths of the King of Kalianget in his own people’s hand.

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