By Vivian Renkey
Throughout the performance, traditional Balinese dancers took the stage to showcase their choreography. Each dancer in the ensemble was dressed in a traditional Puspanjali outfit, which is famous for their vibrant colors and embellished accessories and jewelry.
The University of Maryland Balinese Gamelan Saraswati Ensemble showcased an evening of music, dance and culture at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on Thursday. Balinese dance is highly expressive and dynamic, with movements coordinated to reflect the rhythm of percussive sounds.
The ensemble played traditional Balinese music under the direction of musician and teacher I Nyoman Suadin. The performance featured gamelan gong kebyar, a prevalent genre of Balinese gamelan music, and was accompanied by professional Balinese dancers. Gamelan gong kebyar is characterized by its sudden changes in tempo, rhythm and volume.
A gamelan is a musical ensemble that comes from the Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese peoples of Indonesia. This style of music originated on the island of Bali, an Indonesian province known for its highly developed arts. It uses xylophone-like instruments like the gambang and gangsa and is led by the kendang, a traditional two-headed drum.
Andrew Glendenning, a senior environmental science and policy major, has worked at the Clarice for over six semesters. He believes that UMD’s ability to showcase different cultures is what makes them stand out as a university.
“It’s just a really nice way for the professor and the students to show off what they’ve been learning and show off this instrument that you don’t really hear much about,” Glendenning said.
The performance began with a prayer led by Suadin. To conclude his worship, Suadin cast water on each ensemble member. He then took his place at the kendang, leading the group through a steady percussive rhythm.
Suadin has directed the ensemble since 2001. Originally from Bali, he moved to the United States in 1988 to share his country’s music and dance. Each semester, he manages a 25-person class that teaches students to play traditional Balinese instruments, and their work is presented at the end of the course through an official performance.
“We start with basics – how to handle the mallet, how to hit the gambang,” Suadin said. “I’m very proud of how far they’ve come.”
He is assisted by his wife, Latifah Suadin, who helps run the logistics of the performance. The pair have been playing Balinese music together for over 25 years.
“This area is such a great resource for many different types of world music and world cultures,” Latifah Suadin said. “We encourage students to take advantage of the experiences offered here. It’s a great way for them to explore a culture through music and dance.”
Within Balinese Hindu culture, Balinese gamelan performances are seen as offerings to the Hindu deities. UMD’s ensemble honored this tradition by having dancers throw flower petals on stage. This practice greets and welcomes audience members, inviting them to enjoy the performance.
Patricia Ortega-Miranda, an art history and archaeology graduate student, has been a fan of Balinese dance and performances for several years. After hearing about the ensemble from friends, Ortega-Miranda was excited to attend the performance and learn more about Balinese culture.
In addition to Balinese music, the Clarice hosts performances for over 20 ensembles and groups, with genres spanning from classical music and jazz to Asian music and beyond.
“It’s an important cultural expression, not only in terms of cultural value from the tradition, but also because of its influence in Western art,” said Ortega-Miranda. “We’re privileged to have the ensemble here at the university.”
Featured image: Three Balinese dancers show their choreography at the Balinese Gamelan Saraswati Ensemble. Photo taken by Vivian Renkey.
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