Insitu Recordings

Insitu Recordings

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Suara Semara

Saron Luang Alit Semara Dahana of Jero Gede Petangan Desa Ubung Kaja, Denpasar Utara, Bali.
This collection of new works for gamelan Saron Luang performed by Sanggar Alit Semara Dahana (est. 2013) of Desa Ubung Kaja emerges from one of the many junctures at which longstanding gamelan traditions meet new creativity. I Ketut Sujena skillfully navigates this crossroads by exploring new sonic and symbolic territory without abandoning performance styles recognizably derivative of the Saron Luang repertoire, which provide much of the foundation upon which subtle and more creative departures rest. The hauntingly beautiful vocals in kidung style composed by A.A. Ngurah Oka that float above these textures point to Saron Luang’s ritual associations, while choreographies by A.A. Ngurah Bagus Supartama that were inspired by ritual rejang dances point to the religious undertones permeating much creativity on Bali today.
Also available on CD in select locations. Contact us for details.
Imprint: Insitu Recordings
Released: 2016/09/01
Length: 47 minutes
Vinyl available via Bandcamp

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Track Details

1. Tari Rejang Siwa
“KUKUS ARUM KUKUS MANGEPUL JANGKANG KARANG KUKU”
The lines of the kidung sung by the rejang dancers is a form of tribute to the deceased Sang Pitara at the Stana Stawa ceremony where the roh (soul) will become the purified Hyang Pitara. Laung, Luang, Liang refers to the philosophy behind the purification process Pengruwatan Pitara that takes place at the end of the memukur ceremony. This ceremony also includes the Rerejangan dance to guide Sang Pitara to the purification (Pengruwatan) called Ngelukar Bingin. Inspired by this sanctification process, Rejang Siwa was created as a form of tribute to the site where Pitara will become Hyang Pitara.
Leader: A.A. Ngurah Bagus Ardjana
Composer: I Ketut Sujena
Choreographer: A.A. Ngurah Bagus Supartama
Vocals: A.A. Ngurah Oka
2. Tabuh Nila Pati
The process of Trikora, Utpeti, Stiti, Pralina is the eternal law, the time of birth, life, and death. Perfect death is the beginning of an immortal life in Suniantu. This instrumental piece for gong luang, which uses the patet Panji and includes vocals, refers to the energy beam of the Bhuana Agung and Bhuana Alit, as well as the putru meligia ceremony of Sang Jarat Karu on the way to immortality blessed by the Amanastuti rhythm.
Leader: A.A. Ngurah Bagus Ardjana
Composer: I Ketut Sujena
Vocals: A.A. Ngurah Oka
3. Tabuh Puja Santi
Peace offerings made to nature, complete with all of the necessary ingredients, are God’s will and the dream of every person. Through leluangan, which literally means empty and refers to the distinctive rhythm of the gong luang and through the Sari Tutur Prabu Rama, which calls us to be obedient human beings, sincere, honest, as well as maintain the Dharma, we hope this piece will revitalize the spirit of the Pelayanan Dengan Penuh Pengabdian.
Leader: A.A. Ngurah Bagus Ardjana
Composer: I Ketut Sujena
Vocals: A.A. Ngurah Oka
4. Tari Pendet Pamendakan
“Lwir Bhatara Siwa hana ri ya, wyapaka nitya, menget sira tan cala, meweh sira kawruhana dening nina jnana, sira tamar cala irikang jagat kabeh, sthawara janggamarawaknya.”
The existence of Sang Hyang Siwa permeates everything. Conscious, unwavering, and difficult to know, He moves through the world in both plant and animal form, so we should remain grateful and offer our devotion to Him. The quote above invites us to contemplate the vibrations of Caksu Dibya Sandhi, which arise from the motion of the pependetan for Ida Betara who resides on Purwaning Daksina (Stanatana Utama).
Leader: A.A. Ngurah Bagus Ardjana
Composer: I Ketut Sujena
Choreographer: A.A. Ngurah Bagus Supartama
Vocals: A.A. Ngurah Oka

Album Credits

Vocals: Ida Ayu Nyoman Werdhi Putri Kusuma (Dayu Puput), Ni Wayan Sri Santiati (Atiq), Ni Luh Putu Puspita Agustini (Itha)
Reong: I Made Dayuh Sasmita Kusuma (Dayuh), I Putu Alit Putra Yudha (Alit), I Wayan Denny Saputra (Koko), I Putu Agung Danu (Danu)
Kenyong ageng: I Wayan Roni Antara (Kojak)
Kenyong alit: I Nyoman Panji Indra (Panji)
Saron: Anak Agung Ngurah Putu (Gung Aji)
Jublag: I Putu Yudi Dharma Pradana (Yudi), I Gede Angga Wahyu Raditya (Barong)
Jegog: Komang Artha Darmadi (Mang Ata), I Kadek Pica Juliawan (Joli)
Ceng-Ceng: I Putu Dian Mahendra (Ocon), I Made Yoga Mahendra (Yoga), I Kadek Dwi Artha (Kodok), Kadek Angga Dwi Prasetya (Dek Po)
Kajar: Ketut Pebri (Pak Pebri)
Kendang: I Gede Nadiartha (Denadi)
Gong & kempur: I Kadek Lanang Mahayana (Lanang)

Production Credits

Recording date(s): 2015/06/02
Recording location(s): Jero Gede Petangan, Desa Ubung Kaja, Denpasar Utara
Audio recording: Jonathan Adams, I Putu Gede Sukaryana (Balot)
Crew: Andys Skordis
Audio mixing: Jonathan Adams
Audio mastering: Jonathan Adams
Photography: Jonathan Adams
Cover art: Jonathan Adams
Suara Semara LP produced by Justin Devries