Surakarta, January 9th 2026 — The Pendapa R.Ng Yasadipura at the University Centre of Excellence Javanology for Javanese Traditions (PUI Javanology), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), became a vibrant space for artistic reflection and intercultural dialogue through a contemporary gamelan performance entitled “Bhishma and Srikandhi: A Cosmic Conspiracy Beyond Life, Love, and Truth.” Held on Friday, January 9, 2026, the performance demonstrated how traditional arts can meaningfully contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through culture-based learning, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through the rearticulation of female agency embodied in the figure of Srikandhi, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through the revitalisation of intangible cultural heritage, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through international and interdisciplinary collaboration. The event was attended by members of the general public as well as academics from UNS.
This performance was the result of a close collaboration between ethnomusicologist Dr. Ginevra House, composer and baritone Wirawan Cuanda, and the Artaxiad Gamelan Syndicate, with full institutional support from PUI Javanologi UNS. Drawing inspiration from the Mahabharata, the work centres on the intertwined destinies of Bhishma and Srikandhi and their respective commitments to dharma, understood as a personal and cosmic truth. Through a rich fusion of Javanese gamelan, newly composed contemporary music, Western operatic vocal techniques, and theatrical musical narration, the performance invited audiences to reflect on moral philosophy, sacrifice, power, and justice across time and cultures.
Dr. Ginevra House is an ethnomusicologist based in the United Kingdom whose work focuses on Javanese gamelan in higher education, community practice, and intercultural performance contexts. Her involvement in this project strengthened its scholarly foundation while fostering meaningful artistic exchange between Indonesian traditions and global music discourses. Wirawan Cuanda, a baritone and composer with a Master’s degree in Music (Voice Performance) from the University of York, brought extensive musical experience to the project, particularly in integrating Western classical vocal forms with gamelan structures. His compositional approach, inspired by the Mahabharata, emphasised the emotional and philosophical depth of the narrative while exploring new sonic possibilities. The collaboration was further enriched by Artaxiad Gamelan Syndicate, an ensemble known for its commitment to contemporary and experimental approaches to gamelan while remaining deeply rooted in Javanese musical aesthetics.
As outlined in the performance synopsis, “Bhishma and Srikandhi” was conceived as a musical theatre work combining gamelan, vocal performance, and elements of traditional movement. The narrative unfolds through key moments of inner conflict and transformation, highlighting Bhishma’s unwavering devotion to dharma and Srikandhi’s role as both a figure of destiny and emancipation. By reinterpreting a classical epic through a contemporary lens, the work addressed enduring themes such as ethical responsibility, the consequences of power, the strength of women’s agency, and humanity’s relationship with the cosmos.
The full support of PUI Javanologi UNS for this event reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to preserving and developing Javanese cultural heritage through academic research, creative practice, and international collaboration. The performance served as a living example of how universities can function as dynamic cultural hubs, enabling traditional arts to evolve while remaining relevant to contemporary global conversations.
Through this performance, “Bhishma and Srikandhi: A Cosmic Conspiracy Beyond Life, Love, and Truth” offered audiences not merely a musical experience, but a profound aesthetic and intellectual journey—one that reaffirmed gamelan as a powerful medium for storytelling, reflection, and cross-cultural understanding in an ever-changing world.
