Pura Besakih, Gong Kebyar, Vol. II

by Bali Gamelan Sound

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Gong Blahbatuh, Palegongan, Topeng Bondress, Janger, Drama Gong, Tari Putra, Anthologies, Vol. II, Rehearsals Tabuh Kutus Lelambatan, and 34 more. , and , .

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1.	Tabuh Telu Buaya Mangat 12:20	buy track
2.	Semarandana 21:32	buy track
3.	Tabuh Telu Sekar Gadung 14:09	buy track
4.	Lagu Pendet 07:07	buy track
5.	Topeng Keras 04:46	buy track
6.	Topeng Tua 07:35	buy track
7.	Topeng Penasar 10:42	buy track
8.	Topeng Sidhakarya 13:35	buy track

about

Recorded in Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali, Indonesia, which dates around the 15th century, in a ceremony called "Tawur Kesanga" for the for the balance, welfare and harmony of nature.

This ceremony is held the day before Nyepi (Day of Silence and Balinese New Year).

"Tawur" means to pay or return, that is, to return natural essences that have been used by humans. These natural essences are returned through the Tawur ceremony which is offered to the Buthas (a concept in the teachings of Hindu Dharma which represents the immeasurable and undeniable power of the universe), with the aim that the Bhutas do not disturb humans so they can live in harmony.

Tawur's philosophy is for us to always remember our position and identity, and for us to always maintain a balance with God, fellow human beings and the natural environment.

Played by the Senior players of the University ISI Denpasar with the Gamelan ensemble "Gong Kebyar".

The Gamelan ensemble in this celebration is focused on accompanying the words of the priest and priestess, who bless the earth and offer different items such as animals (pigs, chickens), as well as flowers, food, money, crops, and artistic crafts. .

On this occasion, other ensembles such as Gender Wayang or Gamelan Selonding can be heard in the background at times, since 3 musical groups play at the same time, the Gong Kebyar being the loudest at volume level, as well as the prayers of the priest and the priestess who are amplified in a large speaker and can be heard around the entire temple.

The songs included here are the illustrative ones for the beginning of the ceremony, where the attendees arrive, drink coffee and deliver the offerings, preparing for the Topeng mask ceremony and the final collective prayer, with a cockfight as a symbolic offering. to the land and Balinese culture.

credits

released June 17, 2023

This is a documentary process of recording Balinese Traditional Gamelan music, started in the year 2020.

Traditions have changed over time, but ancient musical compositions are adapted to nowadays life.

Agustín Oscar Rissotti, an Argentinian student of the University ISI Denpasar (Bali), developed an idea to join as many rehearsals, ensembles and religious ceremonies as possible with small microphones and recording equipment, to document the authentique "Bali Gamelan Sound".

In Bali, live performances are meant to be performed for the Gods. There is no egoistic purpose in this performances, but to admire the beauty of this world through the eyes of Hindu Balinese religion.

As for his ears, this is "The authentique Bali Sound", full of conversations around, people passing by, laughs, music of different performances played together (as it is meant to be in several Balinese Hindu ceremonies where -more than 1- ensembles are playing music very close to each other -at the same time-, background noises, sounds of coffee cups and arak shoots, breath of cigarettes, animals hollowing around, hundreds of motorbikes passing by, and even mother nature earthquakes.

With all my respect, this is the vision of a South Latin American guy who ended up studying Balinese Culture and living in the Island during the pandemic.

I hope this can translate you to the world I am living in.

Thankyou, I hope you will enjoy this music.
Astungkara, Matur suksema.

A very special thanks to I Wayan Sweca, for inviting me to this celebration.

Artwork: Paolo Nicolello

All the economic contributions made to this project will be spent in developing the Balinese Culture and Artists.

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