Group of gamelan Semara Pegulingan Gunung Jati, Teges Kanginan
This performance was a memorable forkadek ferry ( f ) as he got an opportunity to join the Tirta Sari group performed the “mebarung” (performance of two gamelan groups) with Gunung Jati group of Teges Kanginan. They are two groups of gamelan Semara Pegulingan who have been actively preserving the Pelegongan style in Peliatan and Teges since the 1930’s until today.
Group of gamelan Semara Pegulingan Tirta Sari, Peliatan
“The Spirit of Peliatan Legong,” was the title of this event. The Legong dances and some of the classical instrumental pieces were performed in this event. The dancers were the generation of the 1970s and some from the younger generation. The gamelan music was accompanied by famous and beautiful gamelan of Gunung Jati Teges Kanginan, and Tirta Sari.
I Wayan Sudarta – Rebab player of Gunung Jati Group
When gamelan instrument Gunung Jati was sounded, wow!! They enthralled the audiences who attended at the evening performance. The sound was so amazing. If we look back to its history, this gamelan instrument was indeed old gamelan which since 1930’s has been played by the group of Gunung Jati Teges Kanginan. Colin McPhee also wrote on his book “A House in Bali” and said that this gamelan was very famous with its beautiful sound.
I Ketut Madra – Rebab player Tirta Sari group
Legong Semarandana by Tirta Sari
In the evening of performance of “The Spirit of Peliatan Legong,” as the opening section a classic instrumental “Solo” was performed by Gunung Jati. And after that, on the other side the Tirta Sari also performed a classical instrumental work called “Gambang Kuta” composed by I Wayan Lotring. The performance consisted of three Legong dances. They were Legong Lasem in complete version-length 45-minutes by Tirta Sari, Legong Pelayon by Gunung Jati, and Legong Semarandana by Tirta Sari.
Legog Lasem in complete version by young generation dancers
Guests and invitees were really appreciating this performance and appreciated the efforts of the artists who have been preserving classical instrumental and Pelegongan dances. Not only foreign people, the Maestro, Mr. Guruh Soekarno Putra was also attended the performance. He has a strong historical background and had learned Balinese dance and gamelan with the founders of these groups. Such as Anak Agung Mandera (Tirta Sari), and I Made Gerindem (Gunung Jati).
Legong Pelayon by 1970’s generation dancers
All dancers with Oka Dalem and Guruh Soekarno Putra
f impressed to all these masterpieces, dances and gamelan, the works of the Maestros. A hard duty of today’s generation artists, is ‘to preserve’.
Matur Suksma! Terima Kasih!
some other photos, beautiful moments….
LEFT: f’ the host & gamelan musician.
RIGHT: Gung Aji and I Nyoman Marda pose n smile – musicians on backstage before the show
f with his gamelan teacher, I Wayan Darya (left) – Kendang player Tirta Sari group
