Gambuh is said to be the oldest classical dance-drama in Bali. It\ncombines dance, drama, literature and song, accompanied by gamelan music\nknown as tabuh pegambuhan.<\/p>\n
A number of traditional villages in Bali continue to preserve Gambuh.\nHowever, ensuring that dancers and gamelan players take up the tradition\nremains a challenge.<\/p>\n
According to the Badung Regency Culture Office website, Gambuh is\nthought to have existed since 1007 AD, during the reign of Sri Udayana.\nThe form that saw many developments in Gambuh is believed to have\nemerged between the 14th and 16th centuries.<\/p>\n
Gambuh is often described as the \u201cmother\u201d of Balinese dance-drama.\nIts rich movement vocabulary, dramatic structure and aesthetics have had\na major influence on other Balinese art forms.<\/p>\n
Stories and characters in Gambuh<\/strong><\/p>\n Gambuh performances generally draw on the Panji or Malat stories,\nwhich recount the lives, romances and wars of kingdoms in East Java. The\ncentral story follows Panji\u2019s adventures as he searches for his true\nlove, Princess Rangkesari, with disguises, conflict and eventual reunion\nalong the way.<\/p>\n In Gambuh performances, noble characters such as kings, princes and\nprincesses speak in Kawi. Servant characters, including Condong, Taurus\nand Panasar, use Balinese.<\/p>\n Gambuh is generally accompanied by a gamelan pegambuhan ensemble in\nthe Saih Pitu pelog tuning. Its distinctive sound comes from the large\nsuling gambuh flute.<\/p>\n The suling gambuh can be considered the ensemble\u2019s principal\ninstrument, producing its characteristic tones. The gamelan pegambuhan\nalso includes supporting instruments such as the rebab, kendang, gong,\nkajar, klenang and other percussion instruments.<\/p>\n Preserving Gambuh<\/strong><\/p>\n Several villages in Bali continue to preserve Gambuh, including\nBatuan in Gianyar, Pedungan in Denpasar, Anturan and Tumbak Bayuh in\nBuleleng, and Budakeling in Karangasem.<\/p>\n In Batuan, Gambuh is usually performed in rotation by several troupes\nduring odalan, or temple anniversary ceremonies. Active groups include\nSanggar Kakul Mas, Tri Pusaka Sakti, Sunari Wakya, Satria Lelana, Sekeha\nGambuh Mayasar and Sanggar Gambuh Semeton.<\/p>\n Preserving Gambuh requires collaboration among the government,\ntraditional villages, academics, educational institutions and arts\ncommunities. This would help ensure that Gambuh is not performed only at\nfestivals, but remains part of everyday artistic life in Bali.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gambuh-balis-oldest-dance-drama-1792821024",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}