Gianyar artists preserve the ancient gamelan Semar Pegulingan

Denpasar (National Archipelagic Wire) - Artists from Gianyar Regency who are members of Sanggar Eka Kencana, Banjar Wanayu, Bedulu Village, Blahbatuh District are preserving ancient gamelan music by staging Rekasadana (Performance) Semar Pegulingan at the Bali Arts Festival (PKB) XLVIII in 2026.

Cultural Background & Living Tradition

"We really need to preserve the ancient gamelan Semar Pegulingan so that future generations can see clearly the classical works, their development and preservation efforts through performances that are presented every year," said Legong Dance Leader and Composer at Sanggar Eka Kencana, Gianyar, I Dewa Putu Rai in Denpasar, Wednesday.

The gamelan and dance performances that took place on the Ratna Kanda PKB 2026 stage emphasized that semar pagulingan is not just a seasonal spectacle, but rather an intangible cultural heritage that continues to live on through the dedication of artists across generations.

Dewa Rai said that this annual grand event is a crucial momentum for the preservation of this rare art, especially since the status of Semar Pegulingan has now been officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.

Ceremonial Observance & Village Protocols

This man from Ubud explained, historically and philosophically, the word "Smar" or "Semara" symbolizes a symbol of beauty and love, while "Pegulingan" comes from the word guling (bed) which conditions a person to be in a peaceful sleep.

In ancient times, the seven-note gamelan with pelog barrels was an exclusive offering of music to kings.

"When the king is thinking about many things, such as the current government which has many tasks, he needs the intake of beautiful gamelan sounds to gain peace of mind. That is the basic philosophy of Semar Gulinghan," he said.

Community Harmony & Heritage Preservation

Dewa Rai expressed his appreciation for the formula for the 2026 PKB event which carries a mission to balance the arts, namely focusing on 60 percent preservation and 40 percent development.

Through this standard, Sanggar Eka Kencana displays a combination of classical works and new works, including a creative Legong Dance which was created directly by Dewa Putu Rai.

This work was developed into something new without reducing the performance values ​​of the original Classical Legong.

Respectful Visitor Etiquette

Balinese cultural traditions and customary rituals offer profound insights into the island's ancestral heritage. Visitors fortunate enough to witness ceremonies should dress respectfully in traditional waist sash and sarong, observe quietly from a courteous distance, and follow guidance from local village elders. Learn more about upcoming island ceremonies, sacred guidelines, and festival dates in our seasonal Bali Cultural Calendar.