Held at the museum on Oct. 28-29, Panggung Maestro is a recurring platform by the non-profit foundation Bali Purnati Center for the Arts that celebrates Indonesia’s master artists and the fragile traditions they safeguard. West Sumatra’s music and performing arts were among this year’s highlights, drawing rare appearances from some of the region’s most revered elders.

Onstage, two rows of elderly women in traditional West Sumatran attire sat gracefully on the floor, their hands moving with practiced mastery over the instruments. The gong, talempong (small kettle gongs), gendang (double-headed drums) and rebano (hand-held drums) erupted in precise, hypnotic rhythms of the Gondang Baroguang ensemble, casting a magnetic spell over the evening.

Sacred art of Nagari Lubuak Gadang

It was a rare privilege for the audience to witness the performance.

Gondang Baroguang, practitioners of the sacred art of Nagari Lubuak Gadang in Pasaman’s remote highlands, had never performed outside their village before. Even at home, the ensemble is heard only during Idul Fitri, Idul Adha and a few ceremonial occasions reserved for the local nobility.

“We, the pemangku adat [traditional custodians] of Nagari Lubuak Gadang, feel deeply proud to bring our traditional musical ensemble, believed to have existed since 1835, onto such a magnificent stage,” said Sarfin.