Adi Merdangga, Bali's popular marching band<\/p>\n
By Kadek Suartaya<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Clad in colorful Balinese traditional
\nattire, male and female dancers follow rhythmical beats of a band
\nmarching behind them.<\/p>\n
The dancers and the Bali-styled band belong to the Adi
\nMerdangga group, which is always the highlight of the three-
\nkilometer parade marking the annual Bali Arts Festival.<\/p>\n
First held in 1979, the festival, usually held between June
\nand July, is popular with both local and foreign tourists in the
\nisland. Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri attended the
\nfestival's opening last month.<\/p>\n
The strides and beats of the unique band, set up in 1984,
\nheads the festival's procession.<\/p>\n
The music and dance of Adi Merdangga -- which literally means
\nthe principal drum -- is traditional Balinese.<\/p>\n
The idea to set up the group came from Ida Bagus Mantra, then
\nBali's governor. He asked I Made Bandem, head of the Indonesia
\nArts Institute (STSI) at that time, why Bali did not have a
\nmarching band to perform in processions during special events.<\/p>\n
Responding to the challenge, and after further observation and
\nexploration, the idea was brought to reality with the help of the
\ninstitute's artists.<\/p>\n
The art circles and Bali's residents appreciate the existence
\nof the band.<\/p>\n
At the opening of the arts festival in 1984, spectators
\npacking the roadsides were amazed to see for the first time an
\nartistic blend of Bali's traditional music presented by the band.<\/p>\n
Then, gamelan players and dancers were clad in bright red
\nBalinese traditional attire and decked with golden ornaments.<\/p>\n
During the procession, dozen of drums were played alongside
\nother local musical instruments, producing an aesthetic harmony
\nfamiliar to the Balinese community.<\/p>\n
The group was not designed to perform traditional local music
\nonly. Instead, its repertoire includes male and female dancers
\nperforming with spears, umbrellas, fans and banners.<\/p>\n
The band's choreography and musical composition never fail to
\nwin loud applause, especially when the dancers make a
\nconfiguration and gamelan musicians play with graceful movements.<\/p>\n
Although the establishment of Adi Merdangga was inspired by
\nthe modern marching band, the former still reflects Balinese
\ntraditions. Its music is derived from Bleganjur gamelan, a
\nBalinese traditional music that usually accompanies local rituals
\nwith the beats of gongs of various sizes and a pair of leading
\ndrums. But Adi Merdangga uses up to 50 drums.<\/p>\n
The group, now popularly known as the arts festival's mascot,
\ndoes not only perform in Bali. It was invited to perform during
\nSoutheast Asian Games in Jakarta's Senayan stadium (now called
\nBung Karno Sports Complex). It also performed during the
\ncountry's golden jubilee celebration in 1995.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/adi-merdangga-balis-popular-marching-band-1447893297",
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