Salu Ening by Sarati Svara

Motivated by references to a selonding ensemble in 11th century inscriptions, in 1993 the newly formed Yayasan Selonding Balicommissioned the construction of a set of instruments in Desa Bebandem. The aim was to reestablish a performing group and reintroduce the ensemble to ritual practices in the area. The new group learned repertoire by formally studying with other selonding groups in Karangasem (East Bali) as well as consulting notated melodies preserved in palm-leaf manuscripts (lontar). This resulted in a distinct collection of ritual pieces. Salu Ening includes five works from this collection performed by Desa Bebandem’s Sarati Svara (est. 2002) on instruments built by one of Karangasem’s most respected ironsmiths, I Wayan Widia. Also includes Tandavasandhi, a new work composed by I Wayan Pande Widiana that combines selonding with other instruments.