The Balinese music is extremely complex and vibrant. Known as an island whose native’s lives are inseparable from religious beliefs, the traditional music in Bali is intended to accompany the many rituals and other religious practices including dances.
The traditional Balinese orchestra, known as gamelan, is composed of various forms of percussions (instruments that are hit) with overlapping and crisscrossing notes. The Balinese music is not the kind of music characterized by the sweeping emotions of romanticism; rather it is detailed, secure in construction, and full of insistent rhythms and elegant patterns. Nowadays, the Balinese music is also performed in many recreational contexts.
It is believed that during the traditionally mandated religious events, the gods descend to inhabit their chosen shrines, awaiting the lavish musical entertainment. The people as the hosts are expected to provide this. For the procession of offerings into the temple, there is music; for the spilling of cremated souls' ashes into the sea, there is music; for the exorcism of evil spirits, there is music; and for the ritual filing of teeth, there is music.
The Balinese also extend the sacred musical events with a wide range of more worldly occasions in which gamelan also plays a crucial role. There are flirtatious street dances, frenzied bull races and gamelan performances for guests and dignitaries. A regular cycle of gamelan competitions and festivals provides a forum for people to demonstrate their pride in their musical abilities and their dedication to the priceless cultural heritage for its own sake. Men and women usually perform in separate groups, with the exception of the ketengkong, the female singer who performs with male groups.
Gamelan instruments are all kept together in the balai banjar (community meeting hall). The instruments are all kept there together because it is believed that all of the instruments belong to the community as a whole and not a single person has ownership over an instrument. Regular practice and rehearsal also take place in balai banjar; if you want to see it, just go to any balai banjar all over the island.
The traditional Balinese orchestra, known as gamelan, is composed of various forms of percussions (instruments that are hit) with overlapping and crisscrossing notes. The Balinese music is not the kind of music characterized by the sweeping emotions of romanticism; rather it is detailed, secure in construction, and full of insistent rhythms and elegant patterns. Nowadays, the Balinese music is also performed in many recreational contexts.
It is believed that during the traditionally mandated religious events, the gods descend to inhabit their chosen shrines, awaiting the lavish musical entertainment. The people as the hosts are expected to provide this. For the procession of offerings into the temple, there is music; for the spilling of cremated souls' ashes into the sea, there is music; for the exorcism of evil spirits, there is music; and for the ritual filing of teeth, there is music.
The Balinese also extend the sacred musical events with a wide range of more worldly occasions in which gamelan also plays a crucial role. There are flirtatious street dances, frenzied bull races and gamelan performances for guests and dignitaries. A regular cycle of gamelan competitions and festivals provides a forum for people to demonstrate their pride in their musical abilities and their dedication to the priceless cultural heritage for its own sake. Men and women usually perform in separate groups, with the exception of the ketengkong, the female singer who performs with male groups.
Gamelan instruments are all kept together in the balai banjar (community meeting hall). The instruments are all kept there together because it is believed that all of the instruments belong to the community as a whole and not a single person has ownership over an instrument. Regular practice and rehearsal also take place in balai banjar; if you want to see it, just go to any balai banjar all over the island.
