By Anuja Veeraghanta | November 10, 2019 at 3:07 PM
The Emory Gamelan Ensemble is the most unconventional group of musicians I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I have been a member since March 2018, but, in August 2019, I was given the opportunity to work with the Ensemble on a composition that I had written. In October 2019, we brought you Lagu Sungai, or The River Song. Lagu Sungai is a piece that works to integrate musical concepts from the West into a framework rooted in the Javanese Gamelan tradition. This piece was initially an impromptu experiment with Western playing techniques on gamelan instruments, but it eventually evolved into a full piece with multiple sections, all of which incorporate some stylistic or structural aspect of the Western tradition. As for the name, I just really like rivers.
The writing process was extensive, and it was several months before a full piece was drafted. When the plan was first set into motion, I was lacking in the necessary knowledge regarding each instrument in the Ensemble and was therefore unable to write for these instruments. So, I pursued individual lessons in each instrument, which was possible with the support of visiting gamelan experts and my fellow Emory gamelan members, but also required copious amounts of time, practice, and perseverance. Upon completion, I consulted my composition professor, gamelan leaders, and gamelan experts, all of whom were extremely receptive of my ideas but believed that I needed a more thorough education in Javanese gamelan repertoire. This led to substantial research and analyses of the structures, techniques, and overall musicality of both traditional and modern pieces within gamelan. Owing to my research, I found myself attempting Western playing techniques, like piano glissandi, on gamelan instruments, and success in this inspired my pursuit of musical hybridity. After about four months, I was able to create the first complete draft. This draft was taken to the Ensemble, was received enthusiastically, and was a collaborative effort from that point forward.
On October 19th 2019, Emory Gamelan took the stage and performed a setlist consisting of both traditional and contemporary pieces. In my opinion, it was the perfect fusion of the Indonesian tradition and our personality as a group: eccentric, but still traditional. I am eternally grateful and honored that my piece was selected to be a part of this setlist, and there are a few people that I would like to thank. First of all, I would like to thank my composition professor, Dr. Adam Mirza, for being a never-ending source of encouragement and inspiration throughout the process; being a professor can be rewarding, but being my professor can be frustrating, and I thank him for his patience. Next, I would like to thank Mas Darsono Hadiraharjo (Cornell University), our reoccurring guest gamelan master, for teaching me how to be both a performer and a composer within the gamelan tradition. Visiting gamelan expert Genevieve Tauxe (of the Indonesian Embassy’s Javanese Gamelan) also provided helpful guidance in the refinement of the piece. I would like to thank my family, as they continue to deal, unconditionally, with my insanity and spontaneity in every endeavor that I pursue. I would also like to thank our Gamelan Ensemble leaders, doctoral candidates Sarah Muwahidah, who advocated for and advised on the piece’s development from the beginning, and Isaac Mirza, for learning the piece proactively, supporting the ensemble through our rehearsals of it, and supporting me through my numerous breakdowns, all without judgment. Finally, I would like to thank my Gamelan family for being nothing short of enthusiastic and reassuring, regardless of how outlandish the piece was and how difficult the process felt. To them, I say: “We did it! Thank you, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Unfortunately, despite temptation, I will not be including any jokes or anagrams at this time.”
I am indebted to all of the people above, and I hope that others, for many years to come, have the opportunity to learn as much as I have learnt from the Emory Gamelan Ensemble.
