Balinese Gamelan Workshop with Dr Wayan Dibia – Hands-On Musical Experience in Bengaluru
About the Event
Discover the World of Balinese Gamelan

Step into the distinctive musical world of Bali through a hands-on Balinese Gamelan workshop, where layers of percussion, rhythm and melody come together to create the powerful collective sound of a Gamelan ensemble.

Led by Padma Shri awardee Dr Wayan Dibia and team, this workshop offers participants an opportunity to experience the musical traditions of Bali from within the ensemble itself.

As part of the Bali in Bengaluru festival, the session introduces participants to the instruments, sounds and playing techniques that shape a Gamelan ensemble.

Rather than simply watching a performance, participants can engage directly with the instruments and explore how individual sounds contribute to a larger musical structure.

The workshop focuses on rhythm, listening, coordination and ensemble playing, giving participants a practical introduction to the way Balinese Gamelan music comes together.

What Is Balinese Gamelan?

Gamelan is the distinctive ensemble music associated with Bali, known for its layered approach to rhythm, percussion and melody.

Instead of relying on one instrument or one performer, the music is created through the interaction of multiple instruments within the ensemble.

Each instrument contributes to the larger musical structure, making listening and coordination essential parts of the experience.

This workshop offers participants an opportunity to explore that collective approach through direct interaction with the instruments.

Learn from Balinese Practitioners

A key feature of the workshop is the opportunity to learn directly from practitioners of Balinese musical traditions.

Led by Dr Wayan Dibia and team, the session allows participants to experience the instruments and playing techniques through guided learning and demonstrations by Balinese musicians.

The practitioner-led format creates an opportunity to understand the music from within the ensemble rather than simply viewing it from the outside.

Led by Padma Shri Awardee Dr Wayan Dibia and Team

The workshop is led by Padma Shri awardee Dr Wayan Dibia and team, bringing experienced artistic practitioners into the learning environment.

Their guidance helps participants explore the sounds, rhythms and relationships between instruments that form part of the Gamelan tradition.

The session combines demonstration with participation, allowing attendees to move from observing the music to experiencing it themselves.

A Hands-On Musical Experience

The workshop is designed around hands-on participation.

Participants will have the opportunity to interact directly with Gamelan instruments and learn basic techniques under the guidance of the participating musicians.

This practical format makes the session an opportunity to understand how sound is produced, how rhythms are organised and how individual instruments contribute to the collective performance.

Introduction to Balinese Gamelan and Its Instruments

The workshop begins with an introduction to Balinese Gamelan and its instruments.

Participants can become familiar with the instruments that form the ensemble and gain an understanding of the different sounds and roles they contribute.

This introduction establishes the foundation for the hands-on portion of the workshop.

Demonstration by Balinese Musicians

Participants will witness a demonstration by Balinese musicians, offering a direct example of how Gamelan instruments work together.

The demonstration provides context for the practical exercises that follow and allows participants to hear the relationship between individual instruments and the complete ensemble sound.

Hands-On Experience with the Instruments

One of the main highlights is the opportunity to play and explore the instruments yourself.

Participants can get a direct sense of how the instruments are handled and how their individual sounds fit into the larger ensemble.

The experience moves beyond observation and encourages active participation.

Learn Basic Rhythms and Playing Techniques

The workshop introduces participants to basic rhythms and playing techniques associated with Balinese Gamelan.

These foundational elements provide a starting point for understanding how rhythm works within the ensemble.

The focus is on accessible learning and direct experience rather than simply discussing the music theoretically.

Explore Rhythm and Listening

Rhythm is only one part of ensemble playing.

The workshop also explores the importance of listening, helping participants understand how individual players respond to the sounds of the wider group.

This encourages greater awareness of timing, musical cues and the relationship between different instruments.

Ensemble Coordination

Another important part of the experience is ensemble coordination.

Gamelan music relies on interaction between multiple instruments, which means that individual playing is connected to the collective sound.

Participants can explore how coordination helps transform separate instrumental contributions into one cohesive musical experience.

Individual Instruments and Collective Sound

The workshop encourages participants to understand the relationship between individual instruments and the collective sound of the group.

Every instrument has a role within the ensemble, and the final musical experience emerges from their interaction.

This provides a practical way to understand the collaborative nature of Gamelan music.

Music from Within the Ensemble

One of the unique aspects of this workshop is the opportunity to experience Balinese musical traditions from within the ensemble.

Instead of remaining in the role of an audience member, participants become part of the learning and playing environment.

This creates a deeper connection with the rhythms, instruments and collaborative nature of Gamelan.

Part of Bali in Bengaluru

The workshop is presented as part of the Bali in Bengaluru festival, bringing elements of Balinese culture and artistic traditions to Bengaluru audiences.

The Gamelan session adds a musical dimension to the festival, providing participants with an opportunity to engage directly with one of Bali's distinctive ensemble traditions.

What to Expect
Introduction to Balinese Gamelan

Learn about Gamelan music and become familiar with the instruments that make up the ensemble.

Balinese Musician Demonstration

Watch Balinese musicians demonstrate the instruments and their musical interaction.

Hands-On Instrument Experience

Get an opportunity to interact directly with the instruments.

Basic Rhythms

Learn introductory rhythms used within the Gamelan ensemble.

Playing Techniques

Explore basic methods of playing the instruments.

Rhythm and Listening

Develop awareness of rhythm, timing and active listening within an ensemble setting.

Ensemble Coordination

Discover how individual musicians coordinate with one another to create a collective sound.

Why Experience a Gamelan Workshop?
Learn Through Participation

The hands-on structure allows you to experience the music directly.

Explore a Distinct Musical Tradition

Discover the sounds and performance practices associated with Balinese Gamelan.

Learn from Practitioners

Receive guidance and demonstrations from Balinese musicians and the workshop team.

Understand Ensemble Music

Explore how multiple instruments interact and contribute to one musical experience.

Experience Bali in Bengaluru

Take part in a cultural learning experience presented as part of the Bali in Bengaluru festival.

A Workshop Built Around Listening and Collaboration

Gamelan is fundamentally an ensemble tradition, making listening and coordination essential components of the learning process.

The workshop provides participants with a chance to experience that collaborative quality directly.

As each instrument contributes to the larger sound, participants can begin to understand why awareness of the entire ensemble is as important as learning an individual playing technique.

A Different Way to Experience Music

This workshop offers a musical experience that goes beyond passive listening.

Participants can observe, learn, practice and play, creating a more interactive connection with the tradition.

The hands-on format encourages curiosity while introducing the underlying principles of rhythm, coordination and ensemble awareness.

A Cultural Learning Experience

The Balinese Gamelan workshop is also an opportunity to explore culture through music.

Musical traditions carry their own approaches to rhythm, instruments, performance and collective participation. By learning directly from practitioners, participants can experience these elements in a practical setting.

The session creates a meeting point between Bengaluru audiences and Balinese musical traditions.

Event Terms and Conditions

By accepting, holding or using a ticket, attendees acknowledge that they have read, understood, accepted and agreed to the full terms and conditions.

The organiser reserves the right of admission.

The venue does not permit food, beverages, liquids, bottles, cans, tins, bags, lighters, matchboxes, flammable items or illegal or hazardous substances inside the venue or seating area.

These are classified as Prohibited Items.

Security personnel may search ticket holders and their belongings at entry. If an attendee refuses a search or is found carrying prohibited items, the organiser may deny entry without refund or compensation.

Drug-Free Event

This is a drug-free event.

Any ticket holder who uses, possesses, procures, supplies or consumes drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances as defined under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, may be immediately evicted from the venue without refund or compensation.

The organiser also reserves the right to initiate legal action as permitted under applicable law.

Conduct and Admission Rules

The organiser reserves the right to refuse admission or eject any ticket holder who:

Appears intoxicated
Is under the influence of drugs
Behaves dangerously or inappropriately
Engages in conduct likely to cause harassment
Causes or risks damage or injury
Creates a nuisance

The organiser's decision in such matters shall be final.

Ticket and Refund Policy

Except as stated in the applicable terms, tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, cancelled or returned once purchased.

If the organiser cancels the performance, the organiser will refund the ticket fee.

Other charges, including parking fees, internet handling fees and order processing fees, remain non-refundable.

The organiser and venue are not liable for issues arising from unauthorised copies or reproductions of tickets.

Alcohol and Legal Requirements

In accordance with applicable law, persons below the legally permissible age may not purchase or consume alcoholic beverages.

Guests must comply with applicable laws and venue regulations concerning alcohol.

Safety and Personal Property

The organiser does not accept responsibility for injury to persons or for loss of or damage to personal property brought to the event.

Attendees are advised to take reasonable care of themselves and their belongings.

Force Majeure and Event Changes

The event is subject to force majeure conditions.

The organiser may modify the terms and conditions from time to time at its discretion.

Any secondary performances, if applicable, and the event lineup are subject to the artist's discretion.

Guests are requested to cooperate with the organiser and venue management at all times.

Personal Information and Privacy

To provide a high-quality user experience, the organiser may collect certain information during booking, registration or payment.

This may include personally identifiable information such as:

Name
Email address
Phone number

Such information may be collected in accordance with the applicable Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Experience the Balinese Gamelan Workshop

The Balinese Gamelan Workshop with Dr Wayan Dibia and team offers Bengaluru audiences an opportunity to step inside the musical traditions of Bali through hands-on learning.

As part of Bali in Bengaluru, the workshop introduces participants to the Gamelan ensemble, its instruments, basic rhythms and playing techniques, while exploring the importance of listening and coordination.

Through demonstrations by Balinese musicians and practical interaction with the instruments, participants can discover how individual sounds come together to form the distinctive collective sound of Gamelan.

Led by Padma Shri awardee Dr Wayan Dibia and team, the session brings practitioners and participants together in a shared musical environment focused on learning, exploration and collaboration.

Listen. Play. Coordinate. Experience the musical traditions of Bali from within the ensemble.