My friend, Emir, is set to play Gamelan at the Consulate General of Indonesia
Gamelan music is an integral part in both Javanese and Sundanese ceremonies. So as a person who was born and raised in Java, Indonesia, gamelan is not something peculiar to me. I know many relatives who had gamelan take part in their wedding; their son’s circumcision, their graduation, and so on.
Although I was raised to listen to gamelan, back then I wouldn’t describe this set of ensemble as magical melodious percussion music like many foreigners do. I thought gamelan was really boring. I even wondered, why would modern people have such boring repertoire played in ceremonies, instead of having some conventional pop band or something.
But when I first used the wooden mallet to strike the Saron Barung for myself, I immediately fell in love with this bronze-barred glockenspiel, I fell in love with gamelan music. I know this doesn’t apply to everybody, but I have come to realize, this music actually offers such rich experience for all human senses. Beaten bronze instruments glow softly in frames of intricately carved wood. The honey-like smoothness of the tones and the intense rhythm intertwine to produce a mood that is at once tranquil and dynamic. Ahh, such an even-handed blend of audiovisual experience!
However, awesomeness of gamelan is not the utmost reason for me to continue participate in a Toronto based gamelan club called Godhong Maple.
What is it then? Is it to preserve culture? Well, there are indeed vast concerns that Indonesian culture is about to wipe out, and we see articles everywhere accentuate on how Indonesian youngsters should really preserve it. But for me, it is not about preserving culture either. It is rather due to an egoistic purpose, I want to be defined as a genuine Indonesian.
“But even though I share their blood and history, it’s the choices that I make today, and everyday, to make me who I am” – some quote from tumblr
I am not implying that one is not a genuine Indonesian if he doesn’t know gamelan. I just believe that a person is not defined by where he was born, or what race his parent was, but he is defined by what he chooses to do now, and everyday, and that process makes a person the man he is. That is the reason why I am committed to learn more of Indonesian culture; it is a process of me becoming a man I want to be, Indonesian.
Yet, It is also true being an Indonesian is (again) divine. Some might say defining one by his culture is such a traditional way of judging. But for me, culture of Indonesia, including its performing arts, is the preeminent definition of Indonesians. I feel like, there is a deeper meaning when saying “Indonesians are rich in culture”. Culture of Indonesia is actually something big, we have our own broadway, we have our own ballet, and we have our own orchestra. Our culture had been established long before we were colonized and we started adopting other nations' cultures. We, Indonesians, are great in culture. Thus, If I could be defined as an Indonesian by its culture, which happens to be something really mind-boggling, I would be more than honored.
And again, I don’t care if my friends or my future children or anybody else disvalue culture of Indonesia. I don’t care if it goes extinct. I don’t care if people think it is plainly uninteresting or boring. I don't care if people think I am outdated. But one thing for sure, it is still important to me that I am able to embrace it well, not because of anything else, but myself. And I, without question, applaud those who still appreciate culture of Indonesia, particularly its performing arts :)
Here is a trailer of the movie I have been longing to watch, Sang Penari(The Dancer. Basically, this movie points out that there used to be more to the story in Ronggeng than just a dance performance.
