April 2019 - Yale Central Javanese Gamelan Music Concert

Yale Gamelan Suprabanggo
Director: Maho Ishiguro, Yale University
with the Yale Community Gamelan Ensemble, and students of the Yale Central Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, Music 232
April 20, 2019, 7:30 PM, Kroon Hall, 195 Prospect Street

Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppetry) Performance
“Lakon Babat Alas Mertani”
Dalang/Puppeteer: Darsono Hadiraharjo
Yale Community Gamelan Ensemble, and
   students of Culture and Performing Arts of Central Java, Music 233
April 21, 2019, 7:30 PM, Kroon Hall, 195 Prospect Street

• Guest musicians: Anne Stebinger and Phil Acimovic
• Guest speaker: Michael R. Dove, Margaret K. Musser Professor of Social Ecology, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; Professor of Anthropology; Curator of Anthropology, Peabody Museum, Chair, Council on Southeast Asia Studies

Dalang Darsono Hadiraharjo has chosen a lakon (plot structure) which specifically addresses the issues of deforestation and the environmental issues so pressing in Indonesia today.  Javanese wayang performance has a multifaceted role in Java; embodying artistic and spiritual practices and values, providing entertainment and engaging society with current events through critical social commentary.  With F&ES students of the Yale Community Gamelan, Darsono intends to create an artistic and educational wayang performance. 

Darsono has identified three scenes to bring in dialogue and conversations about environmental issues, creating opportunities for F&ES/ gamelan members to share their research. Peter Ludwig will be sharing his stories and research on Javanese gamelan instruments and resources for the craftsmanship of these instruments during the gara gara scene. This will most likely be delivered as a dialogue between Punakawan characters (comedic, but also descendants of gods) and Peter. Another scene will involve a research topic by Andy Lee, who will focus on the issues of deforestation and its impact on feline species in Southeast Asian regions. Guest speaker, Professor Michael Dove will address some of the issues surrounding deforestation in Indonesia and its effect on the society, communities, history and environmental policies through the voice of Yudhistra who advises Bima in the lakon to stop getting rid of the forest.

FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY, AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Co-sponsored by the Council on Southeast Asia Studies, MacMillan Center; the Department of Music; the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University