February 22, 2005
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: susan.gwynne@sa.ucsb.edu

The spectacular 25-performer strong Çudamani, Balinese Gamelan Music and Dance Ensemble, makes its area debut at UCSB Campbell Hall

Summary Facts:

• Çudamani
• Balinese Gamelan Music and Dance Ensemble
• 25 young virtuoso dancers and musicians
• The group is considered a national treasure in its homeland
• Wednesday, March 30 / 8 pm
• UCSB Campbell Hall
• General public: $35 / UCSB students: $18
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535

Considered a national treasure in its native country, Çudamani, the 25-member troupe that captures the magic of Bali with its dazzling dancers, glorious costumes and shimmering gamelan orchestra, will make its area debut on Wednesday, March 30 at 8 pm at UCSB Campbell Hall. From the village of Pengsekan in Ubud, Bali, Çudamani (pronounced SOOD-a-mani) performs a diverse repertoire ranging from rare classical forms of dance to highly creative instrumental works with great technical precision, high collective spirit and an impressive understanding of musical nuances. The Los Angeles Times wrote about a 2002 performance: “The mythological gods and heroes in the graceful music and dance of the Balinese ensemble Çudamani...represented an approach to spirituality different from that of Western religions. Yet the stimulus they provided for creative artistic expression was, at its core, no different from the intentions of, say, a Bach cantata. And Çudamani’s brilliant performers, working together with stunning cohesion were both as superbly coordinated and as compellingly entertaining as any Western ballet performance.”

The Rough Guide to World Music claims “gamelan is an ensemble of tuned percussion, consisting mainly of gongs, metallopohones (similar to xylophones, but with metal instead of wooden bars), and drums.” A melody is created on instruments including small kettle gongs mounted on a frame, xylophone, fiddle, bamboo flute and zither. This melody is built upon the resonance of the metallophones, while larger gongs create the “punctuation” of the melody. Singers also add to the music, which is almost always accompaniment to dance or puppet show.

Dances performed by the group include the classic Legong (in legend the heavenly dance of the divine nymphs), rare pieces in the Kebyar genre (a strenuous and subtle male solo dance), and new choreography. Their outstanding musicianship and dance technique add weight to the revival of classic works. In addition, their efforts demonstrate a respect for and dedication to the senior masters who are too often dismissed as outdated by some of the young tourist-oriented artists of Bali.

Also of significance is the set of instruments used by Çudamani. The “Semarandana” ensemble features a tuning system that contains “extra” notes that allow the group to play pieces from a variety of modes and styles on the same set of instruments. Such range allows the group great freedom and diversity in its repertoire, with the numerous modes and tuning systems each having a distinct atmosphere, color or mood.

Members of Çudamani see themselves as a community of leaders who, through their music and dance, positively contribute to the artistic, cultural and political life of their village. The group traces its roots from the ’70s when the children of Pengosekan, a village well known for its community of painters, weavers and musicians, gathered after school to play music in the village balai (pavilion). Over the years these independent-minded children formed a new kind of organization that has become an object of pride for the village. Tourism has had a powerful impact on the arts in Bali, particularly in Ubud, the famous tourist town just north of Pengosekan. By the 1990s most of the musicians of Ubud were playing for tourists and not for the needs of the community, and members were hired and fired depending solely on their technical ability. The youth of Pengosekan often found themselves working in this system, experiencing the financial benefits of tourism while also being keenly aware of the artistic and cultural dangers of this “professional” arrangement.

In September 1997, Dewa Putu Berata (Director), Dewa Ketut Alit (Artistic Director) and others from Pengosekan called together a number of talented and promising young people from different areas in Bali to form Sanggar Çudamani. This sanggar (or community) was established as an alternative to the “professional” groups that were formed for tourists performances. Ranging in age from 18-35, many have graduated from STSI, the degree-granting academy of music and dance in Denpasar. Members of Çudamani are not only virtuosi performers, but also dedicated teachers. Currently senior members teach over 100 youth and children ranging in age from 5-18 in after-school and weekend classes. In the third year of its existence the Çudamani children’s group was selected to represented Bali in the first National Children’s Performing Arts Festival in Jakarta (July 2000).

Concert-goers may enhance their experience by attending a tasty Balinese buffet served by the UCSB Faculty Club at 6 pm. The dinner is $18 per person; reservations must be made by March 23 by calling 805.893.3096.

Çudamani is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and sponsored by the Santa Barbara News-Press and the Towbes Foundation. Tickets are $35 for the general public and $18 for UCSB students who must show valid ID at ticket purchase and the evening of the show.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.