[Musical Instrument] Penting

22 March, 2021

Penting is a traditional musical instrument from Karangasem, Bali. Judging from the shape of the instrument, Penting is a musical instrument that uses strings as a sound source, playing it by swiping, but not like playing a violin. It is swiped with a tool called a pengotek with the instrument on the lap. Usually, the pengotek is made of pendok (turtleskin), thinly sliced bamboo skin and shaped in such a way. At first, Penting was only played separately, but now it can be played by combining other instruments such as Rebab, Gong Pulu, Kendang, Cengceng, Flute, Kajar/Tawa-tawa, Kempul, and others. However, Penting's distinctive loud voice still dominates the barungan gong. In addition, Penting can also be combined with other types of gamelan selonding and grantangan.

The Penting art has existed since the Dutch colonial era, which was introduced in an art performance called "ngeraja kuning" which is a kind of art parade whose purpose is to honor the Queen of the Netherlands. Although the history of the existence and emergence of Penting arts in Karangasem is not yet known because there are some opinions that say there was a spread from other areas when a big ceremony was held at Besakih Temple, while another opinion stated that Peneting came from Java which then spread to Bali and Lombok. However, it was also staged when the King of Karangasem held Karya Ligia in 1930 at Puri Karangasem as a complement to the ceremony. So, it is safe to say that Penting musical art was brought up/developed within the scope of the Karangasem Kingdom as an entertainer for the guests who came to Puri at that time.

The Penting art then developed outside the Puri, namely in Banjar Taman and its surroundings, such as the Banjar Celuk Negara neighborhood, Banjar Pekandelan, Banjar Paya Subagan, Banjar Batan Ha, Banjar Tampwagan. According to one of the founders of Penting Musical Arts, I Wayan Rai, that Sekaa Musik Penting was first formed in Puri Gede Karangasem by Anak Agung Ngurah Gede who then introduced and promoted it to Singaraja. It was at that time that Penting Musical Art experienced a heyday until the era of the 1980s which was still easily found in the form of individuals and groups/sekaa such as the Sekaa Penting "Sinar Iswara" in Banjar Celuk Negara which often appeared at local events such as traditional ceremonies and traditional ceremonies for tourist consumption. In addition, this was also followed by the appearance of Sekaa Penting under the guidance of Puri Gede Karangasem for their awareness and concern for the preservation of Penting art, then Penting art figures, such as Ida Bagus Jaya Negara (coordinator), I Ketut Jelantik (Batan Haa), I Nyoman Sara (late), Wayan Yuda or Pak Udak (Celuk Negara) and members of the SEKAA who came from the younger generation joined with the rest of the equipment. After that period, the Penting musical art experienced a decline with the death of the figures who practiced this art and for a very long time experienced suspended animation.

The development of Penting Arts was then revived by art lovers, and it can be seen from the emergence of several Sekaa Penting, such as "Sinar Iswara" in Banjar Celuk Negara, then followed by the emergence of "Sekaa Important Cipta Sedaya" in Taman II Environment on July 13, 2003, initiated by Ida Bagus Jelantik, I Wayan Rai, I Wayan Sukerta and A.A Kresna Dwipayana. Followed by the establishment of Sekaa Penting Merdu Komala on Jalan Untung Surapati, namely in 2004 which was initiated by I Wayan Widana, S.Sos, I Gusti Komang Teges, S.Pd and I Made Wedastra by recruiting several previous generations of Penting and adding several new members. It was this Sekaa Penting Merdu Komala who re-awakened the existence of a Penting musical art in Karangasem until now.

The Penting music art in people's lives is often used as a supporter and complement to the ceremonies of Dewa Yadnya, Pitra Yadnya and Manusa Yadnya. At the Pitra Yadnya Ceremony, this music art is performed for entertainment purpose to the members of the community who have grief, which is functioned by the community when someone who dies is still buried in the funeral home. It is at this time that the sekaa “Penting” were invited by members of the public to fill the entertainment program of the pegebagan series. This tradition for the people of Karangasem has been going on from generation to generation until now. Meanwhile, the Manusa Yadnya Ceremony, like an art wedding, is only for entertainment. The Penting Musical Arts has also been invited to the Dewa Yadnya Ceremony (Piodalan), which is to accompany the Rejang Dewa dance with the strains of classical music.

The Penting music can now be developed into a tourist performing art packed with new creations without losing the grips created by its predecessors. This art has been developed, starting from the 1960s until now, making this music continue to grow. This activity is a reflection of the creative value of the community that loves this art.

Thus, "Penting" has cultural values and meanings which are a reflection of people's behavior which shows how people see, act, feel and think in accordance with the aesthetic values they absorb from art. That is the implementation of the meaning of "Penting".

Source: Intangible Cultural Heritage Website – Ministry of education and culture