Chandra Natha

Gamelan Chandra Natha is the Balinese gamelan ensemble at the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

The instruments were commissioned and built in Bali for the Hugh Hodgson School of music, and the ensemble was named by I Made Lasmawan. Chandra Natha signifies “magical power of the moon.”

Gamelan Chandra Natha performs Balinese gamelan music for gong kebyar, the modern Balinese style of gamelan music renowned worldwide for its powerful rhythmic drive and virtuosity. The ensemble also performs gender wayang, the delicate and mesmerizing incidental music for the shadow puppet theatre known as wayang kulit.

Gamelan Chandra Natha is comprised of UGA Students and members of the Athens community. Participation is open to adults as well as children in grade 5 and up. Chandra Natha is currently under the direction of Professor Jean Kidula. We work closely with master musicians from Bali and host visiting artists for special events.

Gamelan Chandra Natha is proud to be a centerpiece of Indonesia Week, a weeklong celebration of Indonesian culture to be held at the University of Georgia in 2020.

For information about joining the ensemble or upcoming events, please contact:

Professor Jean Kidula — 706-542-2791 — jkidula@uga.edu

To Join the ensemble, please register at chandranatha.org/join

UGA Students may receive credit for participating in the ensemble by registering for MUSI 4870 or 6870. Information here.