Rarung, a demonic figure

Rarung stands in a posture common to Balinese dance: knees half-bent and slightly splayed, elbows raised to shoulder height. A 1938 description from two Western dance researchers brings this dance to life:

“[The widow-sorceress Calon Arang] called her disciples together in the graveyard under the shadow of the great banyan tree and cried: ‘Beat the drums and let us dance one by one.’ First Goejang danced with outstretched arms. . . . Then Rarung danced; her movements were like a tiger about to spring. Her eyes were red, her hair hung loose.”

To those familiar with Balinese culture, this sculpture immediately evokes Rangda, a character in the story of Calon Arang. Rangda is considered the queen of the dangerous practitioners of black magic who roam graveyards at night. This figure, though, represents not Rangda but one of her disciples, Rarung, as is confirmed by a 48 faint inscription on the base.