Gamasutra, Gamelan Mahasiswa Sastra Nusantara (the Nusantara Literature Student Gamelan Ensemble), took part in the Karawitan Festival and Nusantara Bazaar organized by the Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), on Saturday, 18 July 2026. The Karawitan Festival is part of a series of events held in anticipation of the 59th Anniversary of the UGM Faculty of Philosophy. The event was held at the UGM Faculty of Philosophy Field and, this year, marked its eighth edition.

This year, the Karawitan Festival was attended by 52 karawitan ensembles from within UGM as well as art communities from various regions. All performances were held over two days, Saturday and Sunday (18–19 July 2026), with performances scheduled from 07.00 to 22.00 WIB. The event was also broadcast online via a live stream on the Faculty of Philosophy’s YouTube channel. As one of the groups participating in the festival, Gamasutra not only performed but also took part in enlivening the Nusantara Bazaar.

Gamasutra performed on the first day at 21.00 WIB. The repertoire began with the ladrang Sumyar, followed by several gendhing dolanan, including Emplek-emplek Ketepu, Kembang Jagung, Aku Duwe Pitik, and Manggung Sore, and concluded with Ayak-ayak Pamungkas RRI jugag. Ahead of the performance, Gamasutra members held rehearsals to ensure that the performance would run smoothly and achieve the best possible result. The rehearsals were held over approximately two weeks, with six meetings in total. All Gamasutra members demonstrated great enthusiasm throughout the rehearsal process and eventually performed at the festival.

The 2026 Karawitan Festival was one of Gamasutra’s activities in preserving the cultural arts of the Nusantara. The activity is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, Quality Education. Gamasutra serves as a means of learning together, particularly in deepening knowledge and skills in karawitan. In addition, Gamasutra’s participation in the Karawitan Festival organized by the UGM Faculty of Philosophy also represents an implementation of SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals. In this context, the goal to be achieved is the preservation of the cultural arts of the Nusantara.

Author: Carlos Jose Prabakusuma
Editors: Carlos Jose Prabakusuma and Haryo Untoro