Sumarsam Book order

Exploring the intricate interplay of myth and history, this comprehensive overview of Javanese performing arts highlights the significance of wayang and gamelan. Renowned scholar Sumarsam draws from his extensive experience to examine the dualities that shape these art forms and their evolution across various contexts, from traditional village rituals to contemporary cultural expressions. Through rigorous historical case studies, the book reveals how these performances reflect and influence Javanese culture, identity, and artistic expression, making it a vital resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Preeminant gamelan performer and scholar Sumarsam explores the concept of hybridity in performance traditions that have developed in the context of Javanese encounters with the West.

This work analyzes the music of Java and the development of the gamelan, an ensemble dominated by bronze percussion instruments. Drawing on sources ranging from 12th-century poetry to 20th-century nationalistic writing, it examines historical sources and contemporary cultural theory and criticism.