Sunset in Uluwatu

It’s evening at the Uluwatu temple in the southern part of Bali. The sun sets, setting the stage for Kecak, a dance drama of the Ramayana set to the chant for Hanuman, the simian hero of the Ramayana; “chak-ke chak-ke chak-ke….”

Uluwatu Temple, Bali.

Dozens of performers, chanting almost primordially, form a circle around the stage. It creates a spot, a spotlight without light. There is only the light of the setting sun.

We see Rama, Sita, the abduction of Sita by Ravana.

From nowhere, an extremely athletic Hanuman suddenly appears, jumping, climbing, leaping. He leaps to Lanka, meets Sita, allows himself to be captured, thus preparing the play for the most dramatic scene – the burning of his tail and the burning of Lanka.

By the time we get to the burning of his tail, the sun has set. The stage is on fire against the black background of the ocean. In the distance, a fire lit sky rises. The end of evil is drawing near.

An evening in Manas

Evening falls.
The sun descends.
The earth rises with peals
of mist to greet the king.
Birds begin to sing.

An elephant swishes its tail dry.
The river clatters on
across countries.
Magic can be orange. Sometimes.

Sunset at Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Evening falls early in the north east in winter. A slight fog descends as the sun falls back into the earth. An elephant quickly finishes its bath in the river, looking to make it back into the forest before dark.

On its left is India and on its right, Bhutan. To you and me.

To the elephant, it will just go back to where it came from.