Jayaprana and Layonsari : Balinese Romeo and Juliet

In Teluk Terima, a short distance under the way, visits Makam Jayaprana, gravesite of Jayaprana. According to the legend of Balinese, Jayaprana was an orphan who was bred by the rule of the village of Kalianget. As an adult he married the charming Nyoman Layonsari of the neighboring village of Banjar. Nevertheless, the same rule fell in love with the fiancèe of Jayaprana and projected to kill Jayaprana. He sent Jayaprana with an army to attack and destroy the pirates to that he said had arrived in Bali of the northwest. In arrival in Teluk Terima the minister of the rule killed and buried to Jayaprana. When the rule requested Layonsari to marry it, nevertheless, she chose to continue being faithful her husband and trusted suicide. In Teluk Terima, a short distance under the way, visits Makam Jayaprana, gravesite of Jayaprana. According to the legend of Balinese, Jayaprana was an orphan who was bred by the rule of the village of Kalianget. As an adult he married the charming Nyoman Layonsari of the neighboring village of Banjar. Nevertheless, the same rule fell in love with the fiancèe of Jayaprana and projected to kill Jayaprana. He sent Jayaprana with an army to attack and destroy the pirates to that he said had arrived in Bali of the northwest. In arrival in Teluk Terima the minister of the rule killed and buried to Jayaprana. When the rule requested Layonsari to marry it,nevertheless, she chose to continue being faithful her husband and trusted suicide. Tragic love story always becomes an interesting and memorable story, if in western they have Romeo and Juliet then Bali has Jayaprana and Layonsari. Until this day, the story still alive among Balinese, even in Bali Arts Festival couple days ago, we could see this dramatic love story was performanced again. And still a lot audience looked serious followed the performance. Jayaprana and Layonsari has more then a story among Balinese, this is a legend, especially among people in Kalianget, located between Buleleng and Jembrana regency. Kalianget is a small, dry village, with rows of vines surrounding it, located in North Bali. However, in this village, Jayaprana is alive as part of a religious rite. His soul, and also Layonsari's, are venerated at the Pura Anyar temple, a huge temple dedicated to this hero. And the story more or less as like what is told below. A long time ago in the kingdom of Kalianget, a small village in North Bali, there lived a powerful king, whose name has long been forgotten. It happened that an epidemic struck the whole village, killing most of the villagers. One of the few survivors was a little boy called I Nyoman Jayaprana, the only person in his family to have been spared from the disease. Nyoman Jayaprana had to live a lonely and sad life. One day he met the king's chief minister, who was a generous man. ''Nyoman, will you be willing to live in the palace and serve the king?'' offered the king's aide. After a moment of consideration, Nyoman accepted the offer. In the palace Jayaprana grew up to become a handsome, brave and intelligent young man. At the age of 21 he was able to ''kakawin'', chant and sing poetical texts written in old Javanese. No wonder Jayaprana became the apple of the king's eye. The king thought it was time for Jayaprana to be married. He was to choose one of the king's maids to be his wife. However, none of the maids appealed to him. The king then suggested that Jayaprana look for a girl of his own choice outside the palace. He went to the market and he saw a very beautiful girl, called Ni Nyoman Layonsari, and fell in love with her. Layonsari too, later fell in love with Jayaprana. The lovers were then engaged to be married. Soon, the wedding took place at the palace. Everybody was very happy. The bride and the bridegroom appeared to be a perfect couple. However, the king was not happy at all. He was struck by Layonsari's beauty, became crazily enchanted by her and immediately envied Jayaprana. In his heart he said, ''Jayaprana does not deserve this beautiful woman. He is only my servant. I am king. Layonsari shall be my wife.'' After the wedding party, the king summoned his chief minister, Maha Patih Saunggaling. He expressed his anger to this loyal man. ''Layonsari is too precious for a servant like Jayaprana. I want her,'' said he angrily. The king then had a cunning idea to get rid of Jayaprana. ''Go to Teluk Terima [a small district to the west of the kingdom], and kill him there, but you must not let Layonsari know about this,'' he ordered. The following day, Jayaprana got an order from the king. He was to go to Teluk Terima, accompanied by Saunggaling, to fight the Bajo people who were destroying the forest in West Bali. Jayapraya was an obedient man. He agreed to face the danger despite the happy moment he was enjoying. That night, Layonsari was very worried. At about midnight, she had a nightmare. There was a big flood in all parts of the kingdom, washing away the palace and their home. The bad dream was a bad omen to her. ''What will become of my husband and me?'' she wondered. The following morning, Jayaprana and Saungggaling set off, leaving the sad Layonsari in tears. Arriving in the jungle of Teluk Terima, Jayaprana did not see any enemies around. He asked Saunggaling about the enemies. In response to the question, Saunggaling produced a letter the king had given him and asked Jayaprana to read it. It read, ''Jayaprana, I have ordered you to this place because I want to get rid of you. Saunggaling is to cut your head off and Layonsari shall be my wife.'' After reading the letter, Jayaprana realized that the king's order was just a devilish trap. He was loyal and obedient to the king. Saunggaling then killed him. Meanwhile, in the palace, Layonsari was convinced that something bad had happened to her husband, just as a flock of crows came and perched on the trees around the palace. ''Layonsari,'' the king called her, ''I feel very sorry that my beloved man, your husband, has died in the fight in Teluk Terima. I understand how difficult it is for you to face this, therefore I've come here to propose you to be my wife,'' he said. ''No! Impossible. I'd rather die,'' Layonsari refused firmly, arousing the king's anger. He stepped forward to grab Layonsari, but she ran, she ran to the place where the kingdom's weapons were stored. The king ran after her quickly, but it was too late. Layonsari picked up a kris dagger and stabbed herself in the chest. Blood gushed from her body. ''Layonsari!'' the king screamed and cried, knowing that he had failed. He was furious and went wild. Later, a grave was built on the site where Jayaprana was believed to have been buried. The builder, a man from Desak Pulu, had vowed to do this.