Gamelan Dharma Swara
Today I went to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia to hear my friend Willa Roberts perform in the Gamelan Dharma Swara. I wasn’t at all certain of what I was walking into, but as soon as I heard the music, it was immediately familiar from my brief visit to Bali. I was entranced by the sounds and specifically the dance performance by guest artist I Gusti Putu Sudarta. His hand movements were masterful and his gestures were on the front edge of the rhythm, as if leading, but perfectly meeting. Speaking of rhythm, Willa did an incredible job maintaining it for the entire gamelan.
Topeng Arsa Wijaya
It was my first time watching topeng (mask) dance and I Gusti Putu Sudarta performed Topeng Tau (old man) and Topeng Arsa Wijaya (king of ancient Javanese Majapahit kingdom). I had to leave before his shadow puppet performance, but I hope to see him perform before his residency at University of Richmond ends. He has been playing music since the age of six and was born in Bedulu, village also known for its 11th century Elephant Cave.
