Welcome to Narwastu
The Narwastu Art Community began in 2005 as a group of Balinese and internationals who were interested in learning about Balinese music. Since then, Narwastu has expanded to include dance and visual art. At present Narwastu has weekly rehearsals for Gong Kebyar, Balinese dance and also contemporary dance improvised music. While professional musicians are members, many of our participants are short-stay (up to 1 year) foreign students learning about Balinese music and dance. While the focus in on Gong Kebyar, there is also an active group creating new music and arrangements that combines non-Balinese instruments with Semara Pagulingan.
We also welcome new projects for collaborative projects. We believe that music and dance brings people together and builds bridges of understanding between different cultures as we create art together.
A Word from Our Members
Music has become a part of my life. The first time I went to Bali in 2014 I feel a sense of natural, solemn, and so much inspiration in culture and more deeply I express myself how great God is. Most people are going to Bali for vacation and doing their own lifestyle, but I am interested to get closer to have a feeling of the original Bali and it's culture, rather than to be on hotels and nightlife where my hometown Jakarta has lots of it. And the first time I met Jonathan and Tina, something special of them that, they are persons with musical, closely related to Bali culture. When I knew that they have Narwastu Community, I called Jonathan and asked whether I can join, and he said yes! This is a wonderful experience, and become a first opportunity to know Bali's music and culture better. Narwastu have become a good place for me, a bridge to know everything about art, and together with friends we shared happy moments, good times, and so glad to be a member of them. - Michael Souhoka (Indonesia)