KUALA TERENGGANU: The Malay form of gamelan, made famous by Indonesia, is now gaining popularity thanks to the efforts of Terengganu.
For centuries, the traditional instrument of gamelan had intrigued the world with its varying sounds in the Malay archipelago, since it was first formed in Bali and Java in Indonesia.
Now, Terengganu is taking the lead to boost the Malay form, known as slendro pentatonic, which has five rhythms, compared with Indonesia’s seven rhythms.
Terengganu Tourism Department director Tun Ahmad Faisal Tun Abdul Razak said even the Indonesians were amazed at the Malay rendition of gamelan, just like the rest of the world.
“Malaysia, especially through the efforts of Terengganu’s Museum Department, has boosted the Malay gamelan’s popularity after hosting the World Gamelan Festival on four occasions (in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2015).
“We will host the world event once more this year, from Friday to Sunday at Dataran Shahbandar in Kuala Terengganu.”
Faisal added that Malaysia was determined to showcase how it developed its unique form of gamelan, its heritage and art, and to discover the ins and outs of its history.
“We hope by hosting the world event, it will be a catalyst for the younger generation to acquire talent in playing the Malay gamelan in a contemporary and professional manner at theatres and musicals.
“The Gen-Y are vastly exposed to a variety of entertainment and musical instruments with easy access to information technology.”
He added that the event would include a workshop by gamelan artistes for the public to know the intricacies of playing the instrument.
Three teams from Indonesia and one from Japan will join nine local teams to compete for honours.
“The highlight will be a joint performance by all the foreign and local teams to showcase the gamelan forms of Bali, Jawa, Sumatera, Malay and Japan,” said Faisal.
Although the popularity of gamelan had declined since the introduction of pop music, gamelan is still commonly played during formal occasions and traditional ceremonies, such as the wayang kulit (shadow puppet show).
“The world festival will provide a space for leisure travellers to appreciate the uniqueness and musicality of gamelan, which was popular among Malays and had special ties at royal functions in palaces,” said Faisal.
“It also provides an avenue for gamelan professionals worldwide to improve and strengthen the method, technique and direction the gamelan repertoire is presented.
“Besides, gamelan itself can be showcased as a high-end musical instrument and this festival is an ideal platform to promote the culture, art, heritage and as a tourist attraction,” said Faisal.
The bronze-made gamelan is a traditional ensemble music made up predominantly of percussive instruments, like the metallophones played with mallets and a set of hand-played drums, along with the gambang, gendang and gong.
It is supported by other instruments, which include xylophones, bamboo flutes, a bowed and string instrument called a rebab and even vocalists called sindhen.
The word gamelan comes from the Javanese word “gamel”, which may refer to a type of mallet used to strike instruments or the act of striking with a mallet.
It was introduced in Indonesia during the Majapahit empire, and was influenced by the Hindu-Buddhists of India centuries ago.
History has it that gamelan was first brought into Terengganu in 1913 when Tengku Ampuan Mariam, the daughter of Sultan Ahmad Muadzam Shah of Pahang, married Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Syah.
In 1915, Tengku Ampuan Mariam began promoting gamelan among the youth by bringing a set to Istana Maziah in Kuala Terengganu.