bali & java
Archived Posts from this Category
Wood statuette, ‘Bigmouth Frog’
Posted by Novica on 11 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Working in richly-grained suar wood, Nyoman Karsa carves a curiously mouthy frog. The whimsical amphibian sticks out a long tongue that can be moved back and forth to make a noise. Karsa creates an unusual door knocker with Indonesian flair.
Mahogany jambe drum, ‘Bhoma, Lord of the Forest’
Posted by Novica on 11 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Khoirul Anam invokes the presence of Bhoma to adorn this jambe drum with his spectacular grace. Bhoma is the protector of all Balinese villages and the acknowledged Lord of the Forest. This much-revered figure is also the mythical son of the goddess of the earth, Prathiwi, and of the Lord Vishnu, in his celeng or wahara incarnation. Despite his frightening appearance, Bhoma is a good and friendly spirit, much loved by the devout Balinese people. An original design by Anam, the drum’s base is hand-carved with supreme detail from mahogany wood. The drumhead is crafted of cured goatskin, which is held in place with nylon strings.
Kalimba thumb piano, ‘Bundar’
Posted by Novica on 08 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
The voluptuous base for this traditional Indonesian instrument gives it its name, bundar (round). The kalimba, or thumb piano, is easy to play and produces a hollow tone when its iron leaves are plucked. Ading, a musician himself, handcrafts the traditional musical instruments of Java and others that have become part of the island’s musical repertoire. He uses a dried and hollowed maja fruit, covered in plywood. A small hole is placed at the center of the piece, allowing the sound of plucked iron leaves to resonate. The size and shape can vary, as they depend on the individual maja fruit that Anam uses.
Kendang, ‘Double Chalice with Ball’
Posted by Novica on 01 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Its voluptuous curves creating resonance of sound, this handsome kendang drum has two drumheads. Khoirul Anam, himself a musician, sculpts the beautiful drum from the rich grained of mahogany wood and affixes the goatskin drumheads with black nylon rope. A braided handle makes it easy to take the compact instrument anywhere. The kendang is laid across the lap and played with both hands simultaneously; the ball can be used to create a resounding beat on both drumheads by moving the wrist. Percussion instruments play in an important role in the traditional Balinese Gamelan orchestras that accompany dances, rituals, and ceremonial events. Gongs, drums, and xylophones are the main components, as flutes and other instruments lend their ethereal tunes to enhance the haunting melodies. Avoid direct exposure to sun for a prolonged period of time to protect the leather drumheads.
Mahogany jambe drum, ‘Plucky Dog’
Posted by Novica on 01 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Carved in low relief, a spirited canine infuses this jambe drum with fortitude and beauty. An extraordinary percussion instrument by Khoirul Anam, it is carefully sculpted of richly-grained mahogany wood. The artisan then affixes the resonant goatskin drumhead with black nylon rope.
Bamboo flute, ‘Floral Melody’
Posted by Novica on 06 May 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
A floral cascade falls along the shaft of this flute from the workshop of Nyoman Lentong. The floral imagery is executed with coconut ashes, while the bamboo is especially selected so that its varied diameters produce lower tones. This flute complements Balinese gamelan, an energetic orchestra whose importance goes well beyond the pleasure of music and into the realm of ritual ceremony. Each instrument in the ensemble is considered a work of art and an object of devotion. Linseed Oil is suggested to be used for protecting the wood.
Gourd shakere rattle, ‘Natural’
Posted by Novica on 06 May 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Khoirul Anam crafts a colorful shakere, as beautiful as it is sonorous. Created from a dried maja fruit, it is enveloped in a woven, beaded web. The shakere is played by shaking it like a rattle or alternately, twisting the beads. Its handle is carved from albesia wood.
Mahogany drum, ‘Gecko Beats’ (small)
Posted by Novica on 01 May 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
This bright little drum by Dwi Astuti and Kusbudiyanto is certain to entertain with rhythmic delight. A black gecko is printed with batik techniques over the contours of the drum, separating the two goatskin drumheads. The drum, stand, and drumsticks are carved from the noble grain of mahogany.
Coconut shell kalimba, ‘Blue Serpent Song’
Posted by Novica on 29 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Blue serpents grace this beautiful kalimba by Khoirul Anam. Crafted by hand, it is a colorful example of the traditional Indonesian instrument. The thumb piano is easy to play and produces a hollow tone when its stainless steel leaves are plucked.
Mahogany saron, ‘Indonesian Glory’
Posted by Novica on 28 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: bali & java, musical instruments, novica, view by region
Using rich mahogany wood, Ading creates this handsome saron (a type of xylophone), also called gangsa jongkok. It is the basic melodic instrument in the gamelan, an energetic orchestra at the center of Indonesia’s art-music tradition. The importance of the gamelan goes well beyond the pleasure of music and into the realm of ritual ceremony; each instrument in the ensemble is considered a work of art and an object of devotion. Ading first carves the wood by hand. He then lays the brass keys over the wooden trough resonator and holds them in place with posts. Finally, the instrument is lavishly decorated with gold leaf paint. A mahogany mallet, which is included, is used to play this beautiful and sonorous instrument.