How Dalung’s Pranawa Swaram Built a Youth Gamelan Studio

Dalung, Bali — Sanggar Seni Pranawa Swaram in Banjar Kaja Dalung has developed from a small percussion group based on a private Selonding gamelan set into a youth-focused arts studio that trains young players for ritual and community life in Dalung Village, Badung Regency, according to a feature article published by Budaya Bali on 14 September 2026.

The studio was founded in 2020 by I Gede Eka Adi Saputra, who began by using his personal Selonding ensemble to form a small tabuh, or traditional percussion, group in the village. Over six years the initiative has grown into a structured sanggar with a clear focus on preserving Balinese ensemble music among children and teenagers in Dalung.

Budaya Bali describes the sanggar as a home for young people to learn and appreciate the art of tabuh, with activities oriented toward supporting religious ceremonies and customary events that require gamelan accompaniment in the village.

From private Selonding to a public sanggar

According to Budaya Bali, the story of Sanggar Seni Pranawa Swaram began “on the brink of a storm” in 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Saputra’s ownership of a personal Selonding gamelan set became the embryo of the community, forming the basis for a small group of players that would later evolve into a formal studio.

Selonding, an ancient iron-keyed gamelan associated with sacred repertoire, became the artistic foundation for the group. The article notes Saputra’s sustained commitment to this instrument as central to establishing a solid community of young musicians in Dalung.

A turning point came in 2023, when Pranawa Swaram received government support in the form of a complete set of Gamelan Semar Pegulingan. The assistance is described as a catalyst that transformed the small tabuh group into an art studio officially opened to the public, although the piece does not specify which government institution provided the set or detail any further financial or administrative support.

With Selonding and Semar Pegulingan available, the sanggar widened its activities, opening its doors to children and youth from Dalung and surrounding areas with the aim of making traditional music more accessible from an early age.

Key data

• Founded: 2020, based on a personal Selonding ensemble.
• Government-supported Semar Pegulingan set received: 2023.
• Minimum entry level reported: Grade 3 of primary school.
• Badung representation at the Bali Arts Festival: July 2025.

Training for ritual and community life

Budaya Bali reports that the primary reason for establishing Pranawa Swaram is to ensure the art of tabuh does not disappear, particularly in the context of Bali’s ongoing need for musicians to accompany religious rituals, known as Yadnya, and customary activities.

The studio’s training is therefore framed not only as preparation for stage performances, but also as a way to maintain a pool of musicians who can serve ceremonies and community traditions in Dalung and Badung Regency in the future.

Pranawa Swaram’s classes extend beyond Selonding and Semar Pegulingan. The Budaya Bali feature explains that the sanggar now offers instruction in other instruments, including kendang (drums) and gender (keyed metallophones), allowing students to specialise within the broader gamelan ensemble.

Prospective members from the public can join from at least the third grade of primary school, a threshold described as inclusive and designed to reach children before they are diverted into other interests. The article characterises the teaching atmosphere as structured yet family-like, but does not provide detailed information on lesson frequency, teacher qualifications, fees or certification.

A place on the Bali Arts Festival stage

In July 2025, Sanggar Seni Pranawa Swaram achieved its most prominent milestone to date when it was selected as the Badung Regency delegation to perform traditional arts at the Bali Arts Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali, PKB).

The Budaya Bali article notes that this appearance on the provincial stage marked a significant recognition of the studio’s work in nurturing young musicians. Festival schedules published by Balipost and Detik Bali list Sanggar Seni Pranawa Swaram from Banjar Kaja Dalung, Desa Dalung, Kecamatan Kuta Utara, as the Badung representative in a traditional arts performance segment during PKB XLVII in 2025.

The festival slot placed a community ensemble that began with a private Selonding collection onto one of Bali’s major cultural platforms, while its day-to-day emphasis remains on training, regeneration and service to village ceremonies.

Short but defined timeline

Budaya Bali’s account presents Pranawa Swaram’s development through three main stages: its founding from a personal Selonding set and small tabuh group in 2020; the receipt of a government-supported Semar Pegulingan ensemble in 2023; and representation of Badung at PKB in July 2025.

Today, the studio combines ensemble rehearsals with focused instruction on instruments such as kendang and gender, aiming to cultivate a new generation of players able to support both formal performances and the ritual cycle of Dalung Village.

Sources

• Budaya Bali (Indonesian feature)
• Balipost
• Detik Bali