Rhythms of Unity: Gangsapura’s Soundtrack to Security
From Rumah Tangsi to the ASEAN Defence Minsters' Retreat, Gangsapura continues to be invited to international relations, a raw witness of ASEAN's alliance. Held at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang, 150 delegates from 100 ASEAN member states as well as observer state Timor-Leste participated in a retreat that ran until the 27th of February. It included bilateral meetings and a walkabout session led by Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, emphasizing the retreat’s importance for reinforcing ASEAN's role in global and regional security, and fostering new areas of defence cooperation.
In this blessed event, Gangsapura had the distinct honor of being invited to perform, to bring the cultural resonance of Malay gamelan music into the space of formal diplomacy, creating a sense of welcome, peace, and traditional pride. We sat on the front stage, offering our music as a gesture of hospitality as the ministers dine together at night. As artists deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Malaywsia, we were humbled to participate as custodians of a sound that speaks across languages and borders.
Preparing for a Diplomatic Stage
We focused our preparations entirely on the performance itself. We knew the audience would consist of high-ranking military officials and defence ministers from ASEAN countries, and we wouldn’t be able to speak with them or engage in cultural exchange directly, so our music had to do all the talking. We curated a setlist that would reflect both the serenity and the modernity of our tradition. Pieces like Rasa Sayang and Lemak Manis were chosen for their balanced complexity and rich, layered harmonies. We paid close attention to tempo and energy, opting for a joyful and energetic mood to provide an upbeat atmosphere after a long afternoon of diplomatic discussions.
Gamelan Beyond the Stage
What struck us most from this experience was how gamelan continues to evolve in its social function. Once sacred music exclusive for the royalty, then a symbol of cultural identity in festivals and tourism, now it plays a role in diplomatic events as a symbol of unity between countries. Our involvement in the ADMM Retreat confirmed something we’ve long believed: that gamelan is not just music, but a medium of presence. It speaks of patience, community, and nonverbal cooperation. No single instrument dominates. Every musician listens and responds. It is both intensely structured and deeply fluid.
For Gangsapura, the ADMM Retreat wasn’t just another gig. It was a moment where our tradition intersected with the highest levels of modern international engagement. And while we may have been physically on the sidelines, we were spiritually present in the experience.