On April 15th, UGM Faculty of Psychology held a karawitan (TN: the act of playing gamelan music accompanied with gamelan instrument and singing) performance for the first time since the new addition of gamelan instruments two months ago, which first saw use by students. The performance took place at the main hall of the campus’ D building and ran for more or less two hours since 2 p.m. Joining the student ensemble in this occasion were Faculty of Psychology’s faculty members and academic staffs. As such, the performance was named Pakar Sekarsiswa (TN: abbreviation of Bahasa for “The Faculty, Staff, and Student’s Karawitan Performance). Faculty of Cultural Sciences English Literature Department’s own karawitan ensemble, Prasasti, also added to the lineup.
This small performance was opened by a speech by Rahmat Hidajat, the Vice Dean of Finance and Resources of UGM Faculty of Psychology and who was also the supervisor for the karawitan ensemble of the campus. In his speech, Rahmat mentioned the performance’s objective of serving as an outlet to relieve stress after the midterm examination period as well as to strengthen the bonds between participants. Rahmat expressed desire to make the activity a routine, specifically twice per semester (post-midterm and final examination).
Next, a brief remark by Nanang Karbito, karawitan coach for both UGM Faculty of Psychology’s ensemble and Prasasti. Nanang wished that there would eventually be a university-wide gamelan festival, and that UGM would not only be renowned for being Universitas Gadjah Mada, but also Universitas Gamelan Maju (TN: lit. “University of Advanced Gamelan). This, he said, considering the increasing number of gamelan ensembles in many of UGM’s faculties.
For this performance the student ensemble of UGM Faculty of Psychology was divided into two smaller groups. The first-performing group played Indonesian folk songs Ora Jamu and Gundhul-Gundhul Pacul in both classic and new arrangement. Meanwhile, the second, who took the stage directly after the first, decidedly brought original songs composed by Nanang, one an anthem for Indonesia’s growing field of psychology Psikologi Nusantara and Komposisi “Belum”. The group also played three shorter pieces, such as Lancaran Kothek, Manyar Sewu, and Playon. A few days before Sekarsiswa, this so far nameless ensemble had debuted in the 26th Indonesia Psychology Colloquium.
Prasasti brought two fast-paced and lengthy songs in the form of Lancaran Prasati and Gemelan Oh Gamelan. For Gemelan Oh Gamelan, Prasasti added a few extra instruments in their composition, much to the enjoyment of the audience. Psychology’s own ensemble was honored for being able to perform a duet with Prasasti during the Gundhul-Gundhul Pacul segment.
After the students, came the faculty members and academic staffs of UGM Faculty of Psychology with their performance of Psikologi Ngumandang and Senggol-Senggolan. This group also played Gugur Gunung, which was a closing piece of the event, ending it on a high note by successfully getting the audience to sing along. Pakar Sekarsiswa attracted a sizable audience, with students from outside the campus, non-performing faculty members and academic staffs, and even dean Supra Wimbarti coming to enjoy the performances until the very end.