Classical Gabor by Mekar Bhuana
A highly classical version of Gabor dance by Mekar Bhuana Conservatory from Kertalangu, Denpasar, Bali. Filmed in Maospahit Temple in Gerenceng, Denpasar in 2010 after Mekar Bhuana returned from their performance at the Asian Games, representing Indonesia at this major sporting event. Mekar Bhuana often perform this dance at their monthly performances at Oberoi Hotel in Seminyak, Bali.
You can study Gabor welcome dance as well as other dances and gamelan music at Mekar Bhuana Conservatory in Bali. Contact them on info@balimusicanddance.com for details.
Bou can also buy Gabor dance on DVD, as well as other DVDs, CDs, dance costumes, masks, puppets, and gamelan instruments from their online store: mekarbhuana.com
Trailer of our debut DVD - Semar Pegulingan Court Gamelan with Gambuh Dances
Filmed in a 15th century temple in Denpasar, this DVD features reconstructed seven-tone semar pegulingan and dance from villages that was learnt from vintage and field recordings. The DVD will be released early June and can be purchased from our online store: mekarbhuana.com
Find out more about these traditions and download details about these reconstructed art-forms from our website: balimusicanddance.com
Copyright 2011 Mekar Bhuana Conservatory
Gambang Kuta 1941 saih lebeng misi bero
We learnt this version of the famous I Wayan Lotring piece 'Gambang Kuta' from a recording from 1941 played by the semara pagulingan from Teges Kanginan, Ubud. Here we play it in the lebeng mode and grace a false tone (penyorog) in the first and third sections. This is an excerpt of the piece we are going to play as part of our closing set at the Esplanade in Singapore in May 2009.
To find out more about Balinese gamelan and dance, see balimusicanddance.com, or if you wish to purchase gamelan instruments, dance costumes, puppets, masks, books, CDs or DVDs, visit mekarbhuana.com.
To find out more local knowledge about the island, visit indokiwibali.com, a Balinese-New Zealand team of experts in the language and culture of Bali.
Mekar Bhuana Semara Pagulingan Troupe at Bale Agung Temple, Sanur 14.11.12
Our semara pagulingan court gamelan troupe performing Pagan Kelod style semara pagulingan repertoire at Bale Agung Temple in Intaran Sanur on November 14th 2012. Many of the pieces we study, reconstruct (yes, some Balinese court music is actually extinct and we have to learn from recordings and notation!) and perform are around 20 minutes long and are made up of multiple slow 'body' sections called pengawak. The Pagan Kelod version of Langsing Tuban, for example, has 6 pengawak and is difficult to remember, especially since this music is learnt by rote with no notation. This is why Mekar Bhuana's semara pagulingan troupe has continual practices to be able to study and remember this ancient, yet incredibly beautiful music.
Mekar Bhuana
Mekar Bhuana's pelegongan troupe performing Gabor dance in the Binoh instrumental style at Bali Mandara Mahalango in August 2015. Featuring Mekar Bhuana foreign students, Kanit Sripaoraya from Thailand and Amandine Mareschi from Switzerland. They studied previously taking private workshops and lessons with Mekar Bhuana Director, Putu Evie. The music for Gabor was created in 1969 by A.A. Raka from Saba.
Nggung Mekar Bhuana
Nggung - Balinese Bamboo Instrument By Wayan Sudarsana from Mekar Bhuana
Semara Pagulingan - Semarandana
Practice and photoshoot of Semarandana, a piece from Pagan Kelod, played in baro mode - transition from pengawak to pengecet.
To find out more about Balinese gamelan and dance, see balimusicanddance.com, or if you wish to purchase gamelan instruments, dance costumes, puppets, masks, books, CDs or DVDs, visit mekarbhuana.com.
To find out more local knowledge about the island, visit indokiwibali.com, a Balinese-New Zealand team of experts in the language and culture of Bali.
Gamelan Practice Peliatan Ubud Bali, Genta Bhuana Sari
Genta Bhuana Sari kebyar gamelan group practiced at Balerung Mandera Stage, Peliatan, Ubud, Bali.
interlocking madness #1
A kotekan (Balinese interlocking melody) from the piece Taruna Jaya, played by Putu Putrawan and Wayne Vitale. Videography and editing by Sara Gambin, Oct 2007.
Bali Art Festival 2011 - Gabor Dance by Dwijendra Junior High.m4v
Dwijendra Junior High Schools students perform the Gabor Dance accompanied by gamelan as part of the annual Bali Art Festival 2011.
Selonding Terunyan, Bangli
According to researcher, Wayan Tusan (Selonding - Tinjauan Gamelan Bali Kuna Abad X-XIV, 2002), these selonding instruments are called 'Bhatara Gangga' and 'Bhatara Indra', and are very sacred to the local villagers.
There are only two instruments and their age is unknown. The simple music is used to accompany ceremonies at Pancering Jagat Temple, notably the Dance of the Barong Berutuk, which takes place normally once every two years.
Selonding Compositions by 6-year-old Gede Richard Semara
Selonding Compositions by 6-year-old Gede Richard Semara. Inspired by archaic selonding music from the 10th-14th centuries that we have learnt from Yayasan Selonding Bali on our Besakih-style selonding set, Semara learnt all his gamelan music from listening to recordings and video. He has never learnt from a teacher and always wants to discover things on his own. The same goes for his ability in dance, puppetry, drawing and sculpture. He also taught himself to play on a drum kit, where he transfers Balinese gamelan rhythms from baleganjur and bebarongan, as well as bossa nova and jazz. Mekar Bhuana hopes that other kids in the world will be inspired by his multicultural approach to learning and composing music.
Mekar Bhuana Regular Performance at Oberoi Hotel, Bali - July 5th 2012
On the first Thursday of every month, Mekar Bhuana presents a performance of Balinese court music and dance. Showcasing rare village styles, some of this music was even previously extinct before the conservatory reconstructed it based on field recordings made many decades ago. At this performance, the conservatory presents four gambuh dances, accompanied by their antique semara pagulingan orchestra which is thought to be more than 100 years old. This is the only performance of its kind in the world - don't miss it next time you're in Bali! balimusicanddance.com
Gabor Dance Performance at Ubud Royal Palace
Gabor Dance Performance at Ubud Royal Palace. Sadha Budaya Troupe. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. July, 2009.
Putu Evie dancing Condong at Mekar Bhuana
Accompanied by Mekar Bhuana's antique semara patangian orchestra, Mekar Bhuana director Putu Evie dances Condong for a private performance that we staged for a university study group from the US.
Our Semara Pagulingan group performing Semarandana at Pura Agung, Sanur
Pengawak and pengecet of Tabuh Semarandana, a Banjar Pagan Kelod style piece played in sunaren mode. We will perform this piece and seven others, including two pelegongan pieces, at Shanti - a tapestry of sacred music festival at the Esplanade in Singapore on May 2 and 3, 2009.
To find out more about Balinese gamelan and dance, see balimusicanddance.com, or if you wish to purchase gamelan instruments, dance costumes, puppets, masks, books, CDs or DVDs, visit mekarbhuana.com.
To find out more local knowledge about the island, visit indokiwibali.com, a Balinese-New Zealand team of experts in the language and culture of Bali.
Balinese Dance at The Bali Spirit Festival with Evie.
Evie was born into a family of dancers. She founded Mekar Bhuana with her husband. Mekar Bhuana is a family based centre in Denpasar that documents rare and extinct Balinese court and archaic gamelan music and dance. Evie was the World Music Artist in Residence at the University of Toronto where she taught rare repertoire and gave seminars and workshops about the importance of documenting and archiving Balinese traditions.
balimusicanddance.com
Balinese Gamelan music in Sanur Culture Festival, Bali
Balinese Gamelan music in Sanur Culture Festival, Bali. Please watch and share
Balinese Court Gamelan Semara Pagulingan
A complete seven-tone semara pagulingan ochestra played by 26 musicians from Mekar Bhuana conservatory will present traditional semara pagulingan and pelegongan compositions from five different villages in Bali. This is the first time the orchestra ever performed outside of Bali itself.
Sekaa Selonding Semeton on Net TV Parenting Programme
This is a programme about parenting by Net TV Indonesia that featured child gamelan selonding composer, Gede Semara, and his family gamelan group, Sekaa Selonding Semeton. Televised in January 2015, the programme explains the benefits of exposing children to music and the arts in general from a young age. It connects cognitive ability and human affection with music, and how important the role of the parent is in creating a positive environment for their kids.