Buleleng Northern Lights

I Gusti Bagus Tika
Free Payment of Tabuh Trainer

But his old age and wrinkled hand-skin, did not restrict his power in hitting the “terompong”, a part of gamelan gong kebyar (the most popular traditional music instrument in Bali). It is viewed from the dedicating event of Old Artisan at Ksirarnawa building, Denpasar, last Monday (30/6).

He was I Gusti Bagus Tika, the old instrumentalist. Besides receiving the accreditation from the government of Bali, on that precious night, he dedicated himself in showing for his skill in playing gamelan gong kebyar. Of his spirit, he orderly ignores his oldness. He was mesmerizing for success in performing two ancient and classical tabuh (music arrangement). “I’m very happy,” he said to Bali Travel News.
Since a child, I Gusti Bagus Tika has been already familiar with Balinese gambelan (music instrument). Within an insignificant attraction, he partially fell in love with this ancient kind of music. Then, along with old instrumentalist group, he participated in music playing. Literally, not more than a year, he skilled and mastering few of gending (song). Since that time, he closely relates with gambelan music especially gambelan gong kebyar.
Entering his 10th year of age, when he became the youngest who joined with the adults’ instrumentalist. With different site position, he played the gambelan along with the adults and elder. He acquired a perfect skill in performing gending-gending lelambatan, classical tabuh and new creation. “Since then, I always requested to performing the play with them” he said.
It being said, his capable ability in tabuh (instrumental) arts is just flown like water. Finally, at a young age, he believed to lead his village’s sekaa gong (music group) of Bungkulan village, 15 Km to the east of Singaraja City. “Actually, I did not acquire a knowledge other than as an instrumentalist,” he said finely.
The art creativity of this man who was born in 1933 keeps growing. He was engaged as sekaa gong leader, and got busy in performing a show to several villages in northern Bali. “The society always invited us to play to accompany sorts of ritual ceremony, it may be once or twice a day,’ he said proudly.
Beside being an instrumentalist, this natural artist who never received any formal education was also as the tabuh founder and trainer of Sanggar “Sumurdha Sari” Bungkulan village, Sawan sub district, Buleleng regency. “With pleasure, I will train the children to penetrate the tabuh art and dance art with a freedom of expression,” said this penabuh while adding, that he will proud if one of his students becomes a great artist one day.(BTN/015)