Page 8 - Fifty-fifty Sep 2021

25 years of leadership from Budi S. Putra
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Budi S. Putra leading Gamelan Padhang Moncar. He says, “This is
actually a professional level gamelan group we have here in Wellington. We have performed at many exciting
gigs over the years, including those at WOMAD, which were wonderful collaborations with Ki Joko Susilo. We
have also toured Indonesia four times, which is very significant. Leading our musical group, whose performers
are very talented, is something that I am extremely proud of.”

By working with Ki Joko Susilo to perform wayang kulit in Wellington, Gamelan Wellington continues to engage
New Zealanders in the seni pertunjukan (performing arts) of Indonesia. We believe that such cross-cultural
collaborations within the arts sector are important, as they strengthen cultural ties between Indonesia and New
Zealand.

Gamelan Wellington is a music collective that performs Indonesian music in New Zealand. It comprises
Gamelan Padhang Moncar (Central Javanese gamelan) and Gamelan Taniwha Jaya (Balinese gong kebyar
and beleganjur). You can follow the collective on Facebook: look for ‘Gamelan Wellington NZ’. You can visit us
online at www.gamelan.org.nz and we also welcome new players: join us in our open rehearsals (during Alert
Level 1) at the New Zealand School of Music on Mondays (for Gamelan Padhang Moncar) from 6pm and
Wednesdays (for Gamelan Taniwha Jaya) from 6.30pm.

Gamelan Padhang Moncar in 2021. Pictured (L-R) are Grace Liallahu, Greg Street, Judith Exley,
Mike Jones, Nick Hancox, Hasil Maksud, Gabrielle Young, Jo Hilder, Hazel Barrett, Roanna
Mowbray, Alisa Hogan, Budi S. Putra (musical director), Sirisan “Kwan” Sobhanasiri, and Megan
Collins (manager). [Absent: Marie Direen, Harry Forte, Anton Killin, Paul Nuttall, Bo Yang]

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