Get to know Indonesia through music and dance

DID you know that Bendigo has its very own traditional Indonesian performance ensemble?

Known as the Mugi Rahayu Gamelan Ensemble and established and coordinated by husband and wife team Aaron Hall and Nita Rahayu, the group will be performing for the public as part of Cultural Diversity Week on Monday, 21 March at the Bendigo Library.

Hall said the idea for the group came about after he completed an Indonesian Government scholarship to study gamelan music full time for 18 months at the Yogyakarta Arts Institute in Yogyakarta.

“Nita studied Indonesian dance since she was young and so it was a perfect match,” he said. “Since 2006 we have had weekly practices at our home in the bush and perform at cultural festivals in the region and occasionally in Melbourne.”

The Bendigo showcase will feature a selection of authentic Indonesian gamelan music in the central Javanese style that will be accompanied by Rahayu’s dancers.

“We will also be performing the traditional Indonesian story of the legend of Prambanan temple in Java, as a role play and drama with live music,” Hall said.

Hall is urging locals to come along and show their support, as participating in cultural activities are “one of the things that makes living in Bendigo so great.”

“Enjoying and sharing the diversity of other cultures and other peoples in an open, welcoming way enriches everyone’s lives and is one of the ways that we can contribute to harmony in our society,” he said.

Catch the Mugi Rahayu Gamelan Ensemble on Monday, 21 March between 4pm and 5pm at the Bendigo Library.

For more information about the group visit baguskan.com.au/mugirahayu.