For the Love of Gamelan
“Each instrument within the gamelan ensemble beats with a distinct rhythm, resonates with a unique tone, and voices a separate personality — every single one of them has its own love song to sing and a passionate story to tell. Yet, when they take turns to blend their melodies into one harmonic performance, a symphony emerges that transcends their individual identities, producing a communal resonance that vibrates with the transformative, all-encompassing triumph of love.” ~ I Made Bandem, Ethnomusicologist.
Gamelan is an orchestra that comprises a variety of instruments crafted from materials such as stone, wood, bamboo, iron, bronze, leather, and string. They are played in the sléndro and pélog scales, and the term ‘gamelan’ also refers to the music produced by these instruments.
Today, more than 30 types of Balinese gamelan ensembles are spread across all districts of Bali, each with its own unique function, instrumentation, orchestration, and striking techniques.
Gamelan, a component of the Balinese way of life, has persisted through the ages thanks to the Hindu Dharma religion’s enduring vitality. No Balinese religious ceremony is truly complete without the sonorous sound of the gamelan, which was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
One prominent ensemble to date is the kebyar, originally performed at festivals for pure entertainment in the early 20th century. As a striking contemporary Balinese music and dance piece, kebyar has enthralled audiences worldwide.
The word ‘kebyar’ means luminous lightning or a rumbling thunderbolt, and every kebyar piece commences with an explosive sound and persists in syncopated unison passages.
The emotive nature, dramatic movements, and stunning acts provide a feast for the eyes, displaying the performers’ dexterity and reflecting the intricate details and energetic spirit that are hallmarks of Bali’s rich cultural heritage.
The kebyar ensemble consists of an array of gongs, including gong, kempur, kelentong, and kajar, along with other instruments such as réyong (the long row of kettle gongs), gangsa, penyacah, jegogan (metallophones), céng-céng (cymbals), kendang (drums), and suling (flutes). The combination of these instruments creates a mesmerizing and spiritually charged soundscape.
As such, the soundscape triggers a broad range of emotions in listeners, much like love’s transformative power. The highs and lows of the gamelan echo the ebbs and flows of being smitten, crafting a sonic portrait of love’s triumph over adversity.
This emotive impact of kebyar music, combined with a sincere devotion to the aesthetic beauties governing the universe, inspired the Makaradhwaja Performing Arts Group of Singapadu Village in Gianyar.
With the guidance of Suasthi Bandem and I Made Bandem, they created the Victory of Love Cultural Archive in collaboration with Quantum Temple, drawing upon the enchanting resonance of gamelan music. Captured within the hallowed grounds of the Puseh lan Desa Temple in Singapadu, a stunning 35-second masterpiece unfolds in breathtaking 4K resolution. The creative prowess of dynamic duo Kiril Dobrev and Bryn North immortalizes this digital artwork, seamlessly intertwining tradition and technology in a thrilling visual extravaganza.
First, the cultural archive is a tribute to the seminal compositions of Kapi Raja by A.A. Gdé Mandera of Peliatan, Ubud, in 1952, and Jaya Semara by I Wayan Beratha of Belaluan, Denpasar, in 1959. Both are maestros revered for their ingenuity and pioneering stance in advancing gamelan on the world stage.
Victory of Love is an innovative overture that underscores its performers’ virtuosity by heart with its intricate rhythms, exquisite melodies, and dramatic movements. Each group of instruments takes a turn to demonstrate the complex polyphony of Balinese music, starting with réyong, moving to gangsa, céng-céng, kempur, and penyacah, and ending with prolonged kendang patterns. The piece concludes with the technique of oncang-oncangan, the interlocking and dynamic arrangement of the entire kebyar ensemble.
Second, with such layers of rhythmic and melodic patterns, gamelan music creates an aural tapestry that transcends the physical world, much like love transcends cultural, geographical, and social boundaries. This encapsulates the spirit of the Victory of Love Cultural Archive, further highlighting the parallels between the local and global appeal of gamelan as an innovative endeavor that not only preserves and promotes this traditional art form in the digital era but also echoes the broader narrative of music and love’s power to illuminate our world, radiating warmth and light.
Makaradhwaja Kumara: Fostering the Future Custodians of Gamelan
In the wake of the launch of the Victory of Love Cultural Archive by Quantum Temple in collaboration with the Makaradhwaja Performing Arts Group in 2023, a significant step was taken to preserve and nurture the cultural heritage of Bali’s traditional gamelan music.
Recognizing the necessity of an immersive and interactive platform to engage the younger generation with this unique art form, Suasthi Bandem and I Made Bandem founded the Makaradhwaja Kumara Children Gamelan Club. ‘Makaradhwaja’ refers to a Panji prince known for his pure, righteous, and beautiful manners, while ‘Kumara’ translates to ‘children’ or ‘youth,’ underscoring the focus of this initiative.
The establishment of Makaradhwaja Kumara is, thus, a step in the same direction, towards preserving and promoting this rich cultural tradition.
The driving rationale behind Makaradhwaja Kumara is regeneration and knowledge transfer to the younger generation, who are destined to become the future cultural custodians of the gamelan art form. By providing these children with firsthand exposure to gamelan, the founders hope to foster a lifelong connection and a sense of responsibility towards the art.
Further, the club is envisaged as a creative hub. It is a safe space within Singapadu Village where children can explore their artistic interests, learn, and contribute positively to the community. It encourages team-building, nurtures talent, and promotes discipline, thus playing a vital role in holistic child development.
The children’s club was officially established on April 23, 2023, in Singapadu Village, marking the auspicious occasion of Tumpek Krulut, a day dedicated to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, Almighty God in his manifestation as the deity Iswara, who is the ruler of sounds or voices, intended to worship the Creator.
Further emphasizing its spiritual significance, ‘Krulut’ carries a connotation of affection or love, underscoring the notion of heartfelt gratitude and devotion embodied on this day. This fitting commencement included the ‘nuasen’ or ‘nasarin’ (initiation) ritual, traditionally performed to lay the foundation of a new endeavor.
The Makaradhwaja Kumara Gamelan Club currently comprises 25–30 children aged between 6 and 13 years, offering free lessons every Thursday and Sunday under the supervision of Suasthi Bandem. Teachers Made Sumarno and I Ketut Suantara lead the instruction, fostering a repertoire that includes the music accompaniment of Baris, ‘the warrior dance, and the instrumental Tabuh Telu Gajah Nongklang, or the ‘Capering Elephant,’ a fitting moniker for the lively and spirited performance.
During the brief course of this youth club, there are many stories shedding light on the passion and dedication that fuel the preservation of the Balinese gamelan tradition.
Take, for instance, the young Nyoman Aptaleta Adiatma, an 11-year-old member of the gamelan club. Apta, despite his tender age, shows a maturity and dedication towards the art of gamelan that would make many adults envious. He enthusiastically attends every session, rain or shine, his small hands producing complex rhythms on the gangsa (metallophones) with a precision that belies his age.
Angga shares, “I love playing the gamelan. It makes me happy, and I feel like I’m part of a community. My father and grandfather are dancers, and one day I want to perform together with them.”
Further, meet Goya Bandem in the following video.
Looking ahead, the group aims to perform for the temple festival, or ‘odalan’, at Banjar Mukti Singapadu within six months, banjar being the term for a customary village neighborhood. In addition to artistic instruction, Suasthi has also instilled a sense of responsibility in the students for the maintenance and care of the musical instruments. The introduction of attendance logs and cleanliness norms, including bringing personal tumblers and avoiding littering, further emphasizes discipline and respect for the shared environment, in line with the broader objectives of the Makaradhwaja Kumara initiative.
Foreseeing the future, the Makaradhwaja Kumara Children Club has identified key areas that would greatly benefit from external support and funding. These include the maintenance and tuning of the gamelan instruments, which are crucial to preserving the authenticity and richness of the sound. Additionally, they seek funding to employ more teachers, allowing for comprehensive instruction in basic gamelan notation. The tailoring of their performance uniforms also forms an integral part of their future aspirations. These traditional and ornate costumes serve as more than just attire; they are a reflection of the cultural legacy the group carries forward.
Linda Adami, founder and CEO of Quantum Temple, has advised the management to broaden the children’s exposure to gamelan music. She recommends organizing excursions to various gamelan performances, extending beyond the conventional stages of festivals like the Bali Arts Festival. Such experiences can provide the children with invaluable insights into different performance styles and contexts, further deepening their understanding and appreciation of this rich cultural heritage.
Therefore, in order to fulfill these future objectives and continue their mission of preserving and propagating gamelan music, the Makaradhwaja Kumara Children Gamelan Club eagerly welcomes support and contributions from all those who resonate with their cause.
Discover the captivating power of the Victory of Love Cultural Archive, an exceptional creation by the Makaradhwaja Performing Arts Group. Immerse yourself in the majesty of Balinese heritage, experience its grandeur, and participate in preserving this unique art form. Click here to join us on this extraordinary journey and support the vibrant tradition that is gamelan music. This isn’t just an experience; it’s a commitment to a rich cultural legacy. Your involvement counts; don’t miss out!
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Sléndro is a musical scale in traditional music where one octave is divided into five tones with equal intervals. Meanwhile, pélog is another musical scale where one octave is divided into seven tones, but the intervals between each tone vary.
Written by: Marlowe Bandem
Executive Director of Indonesia, Quantum Temple