Authentic Balinese Dance & Gamelan 3

The 1st Performance (August 26th, 2007)

The performance started just after district leader of Gianyar regency formally opened the event. The groups were Sekaa Gong Gunung Sari and Sekaa Gong Gunung Jati. They are the oldest gamelan groups of Peliatan. All people were really enthusiasm to see these great Gamelan Groups, the groups who represented Balinese Artists for the first time to dance out of the country.

The Sekaa Gong Gunung Sari was founded by Anak Agung Gde Mandera, I Made Lebah, and friends, in 1926. Begin with young activities in celebrating the Galungan day, “Ngelawang Barong”. Dancing barong with simple music accompaniment danced crossing all over the village. As they gained experience the group become more professional, the try to combine the Barong with the Ardja Operate. With these works they had performed to other regency, Klungkung and Buleleng.

In Buleleng (north of Bali), they heard for the first time the Gamelan Gong Kebyar, that really dynamic, and decided that they wondered to have a Gong Kebyar in Peliatan.

In the age of 15, I Made Lebah studied gamelan from Anak Agung Rai Prit in Sukawati. The teacher was very old, but still really enthusiasm teaching gamelan to any people who come to his house. Many of his students become popular musicians and composers, I Nyoman Kaler from Denpasar, I Wayan Lotring from Kuta, and I Made Lebah itself, from Peliatan.

On the other side Dewa Ketut Belatjing teched Anak Agung Gde Mandera and Gusti Made Sengong the Legong dance. In that time (1920’s) the Legong was unknown in Peliatan. There were only Gambuh, Barong, Sanghyang, and Ardja.

The artists from Peliatan ………..

Author : kadek ferry © f-studio
Photo : Doc. Mengenang Sang Guru 2007 (Press Release)