Lucy Surtandi: I don’t know why but I’m increasingly drawn back to Indonesian culture

There are many gamelan orchestras in Australian cities. Members of many of the orchestras are people from Indonesian and non-Indonesian backgrounds. What attracts diverse people to the music of the gamelan and the unique singing of the ‘pesinden’?

Gamelan orchestras in Australia not only attract people non-Indonesian backgrounds but also across age groups. Lucy Surtandi playing ketuk kempyang. Source: Courtesy Lucy Surtandi - Langen Suka gamelan group.

Lucy Surtandi is vice president of the Indonesian Community Council of NSW and organiser for the Gita Suara Sydney Vocal Group.  Lucy is also a member of the Langen Suka gamelan orchestra and is learning the art of ‘nyinden’.  She explains to Sri Dean how her interest in music has shifted from Western pop to more traditional music.

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Lucy Surtandi (middle) is ready to sing with two other ‘sinden’ with Langen Suka gamelan group in Sydney. There are gamelan groups in Australian capital cities. Source: Courtesy Lucy Surtandi - Langen Suka Gamelan group.