Preserving Javanese culture through gamelan

Tue, September 5, 2017 / 12:36 pm

+ See SlideShow

/

British nationals of the Siswa Sukra group play gamelan instruments at North Sabrang village in Trucuk, Klaten regency, Central Java, on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Female gamelan players put on makeup prior to their performance. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Indonesian Dona (left) and Andrea of Germany rehearse their dance moves accompanied by gamelan played by Sukra members at the Indonesian Arts Institute auditorium in Surakarta, Central Java, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

A gamelan instrument is played while a note is laid on top of it during rehearsal. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Sukra members rehearse before a performance at the Indonesian Arts Institute auditorium in Surakarta, Central Java, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Sukra members play gending (songs) during their visit to Surakarta, Central Java. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Female gamelan players wear kebaya (traditional blouses) during a performance in Surakarta, Central Java. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Clad in traditional attire, Sukra members perform at the Indonesian Arts Institute auditorium in Surakarta, Central Java. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

A sinden (singer) from London amazes the audience during her performance in Surakarta. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Sukra members perform in Surakarta. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
+ See SlideShow

/

Indonesia dancer Dona (left) and Andrea of Germany perform wearing traditional attire. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan

Twenty-four foreigners who are members of the Siswa Sukra gamelan group, which is based in Britain, visited Indonesia from Aug. 5-22. They visited Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Surakarta as part of their training.

They first performed at the Museum Wayang (Puppet Museum) in Central Jakarta on Aug. 6, followed by performances in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. They also visited Mojolaban, which is the center of gamelan instrument production.

It is extraordinary that foreigners play the gamelan, which unfortunately has been abandoned by the younger generation in Indonesia. Fewer and fewer youths show an interest in learning how to play the gamelan – which is ironic, especially since foreigners are interested in playing the instruments.

It is important that the younger generation help preserve the culture as Indonesia will hold the 2018 International Gamelan Festival. [yan]