SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

“The Birth of Kala” - a Balinese tale

Balinese gendér wayang, a miniature gamelan made up of a quartet of bronze metallophones, was described by composer Colin McPhee as: “Perhaps the highest, and certainly the most sensitive form of musical expression existing in Bali”. Traditionally, it is used to accompany rituals and shadow puppet plays. SOAS-based group Segara Madu together with actor and storyteller Tim Jones bring a fresh perspective to a terrifyingly dramatic Balinese legend telling of the origin of these instruments in a concert that mixes traditional and new music.