Gamelan "Penting" of Karangasem: A Traditional Artistic Heritage on the Brink of Extinction

Karangasem Regency is known as one of the regions in Bali that is rich in traditional arts, especially unique and rare forms of gamelan music. In the eastern part of the Island of the Gods, various traditional musical forms that cannot be found elsewhere continue to live on, such as Gong Beruk in Bangle Village, Abang District and Reong Bambu in Telun Village, Sidemen District. Yet behind this cultural wealth, there is another distinctive gamelan art form whose existence is fading and nearly forgotten, namely Gamelan Penting.

Gamelan Penting is a traditional musical art form unique to Karangasem with a long historical background. This art once reached its golden era toward the end of the Karangasem Kingdom period. At that time, Penting was not only a form of entertainment but also held strong social and cultural functions within community life. Until the 1980s, this art form could still be found relatively easily, both in individual performances and within sekaa (art groups). Penting had even appeared on television and performed at the Bali Arts Festival (PKB), showing that this art once held an honorable place on Bali’s artistic stage.

Gamelan Penting Performance (Source: Personal Collection)

However, over time, the presence of Gamelan Penting gradually faded. Many of its key figures and performers have passed away, while regeneration has been very slow. On the other hand, modernization and the influx of popular music have increasingly dominated the tastes of the younger generation. The lack of performance space in mass media such as radio and television has further accelerated the decline of this art form. In the last decade, the onslaught of modern culture seems to have pushed Penting further toward the brink of extinction.

Amid these difficult conditions, a glimmer of hope has emerged through the presence of Sekeha Penting Merdu Komala, based in Amlapura. This group is not entirely new, but rather a continuation of the spirit of the earlier Penting group “Sinar Iswara” from Celuk Negara, which had been active since the 1980s. At that time, the group was coordinated by an ASTI Denpasar graduate, I Ketut Bawa, S.Pd., who is now known as a teacher at SMAN 1 Amlapura. In the past, this group frequently performed at traditional and religious events as well as for tourists before it eventually declined and disbanded.

Details of Gamelan Penting (Source: Personal Collection)

Preservation efforts have been strengthened again through guidance provided by Puri Gede Karangasem, coordinated by Ida Bagus Jaya Negara, S.H. This support demonstrates that there are still parties who care about the sustainability of Gamelan Penting. Support from the royal palace indicates that this art form is not only aesthetically valuable but also holds strong historical meaning and cultural identity for the people of Karangasem.

Gamelan Penting is not merely a series of traditional sounds, but rather a reflection of the cultural journey of the people of eastern Bali. It records historical traces, social structures, and the distinctive musical sensibility of Karangasem. Its disappearance would not only mean the loss of one type of gamelan, but also the loss of an important heritage within the richness of Balinese art. Therefore, preserving Penting requires synergy among artists, traditional institutions, the government, and the younger generation so that this art form is not completely buried by time.

Gamelan Penting of Karangasem (Source: Personal Collection)

In today’s modern era, preservation challenges are indeed greater, but not impossible to overcome. Revitalization through arts education in schools, documentation, regular performances, and the use of digital media can become new pathways to revive Gamelan Penting. If given space and attention, it is possible that this art form, which once shone brightly, will find its stage again and become a source of pride for Karangasem, while enriching the mosaic of Bali’s traditional arts.