Here’s the thing when it comes to the classics: you can’t beat them. But only because it isn’t the competition that we’re hardwired to think it is. Tradition and innovation aren’t opposing concepts; they can coexist harmoniously, especially in the context of cultural heritage.
Music, one of the oldest art forms of human civilisation, is one such cultural heritage that reflects the zeitgeist of the times. Taking into account the increasing interconnectedness of the world and its influence towards musical behaviours, the styles unique to every region have undoubtedly evolved, though their essence remains largely untouched.
And the Malay gamelan, deeply intertwined with Malaysia’s national identity, embodies the delicate balance between past and present. While rooted in its Indonesian origins, the Malaysian gamelan is distinguished between two styles: the Johor gamelan, which is similar to the Javanese gamelan’s softer, mellower playing style; and the Terengganu gamelan, also referred to as the Pahang gamelan—or, the Malay gamelan we know today.
MALAY GAMELAN: THEN & NOW
First, a quick historical recap about this ancient musical genre. Performed and taught in the royal courts of Johor and Pahang at the height of the 19th-century Riau-Lingga empire, the Malay gamelan was said to be introduced alongside the, a form of classical Malay dance that once had over 80 types of dances. However, due to the dances remain today.
