Putu Adi Septa Suweca Putra, known as Putu Septa, was born in Padangtegal, Ubud, Bali. He is a renowned Balinese gamelan composer, musician, sound artist and educator.
From a remarkable lineage of Balinese gamelan artists and performers, Putu Septa particularly followed the teachings imbued upon him by his grandfather, I Ketut Genjet, a great gamelan musician himself. Septa skilfully combines gamelan techniques with his virtuosity to create original contemporary compositions that nod to his tradition yet expand the rules of the gamelan.
“For me, tradition is something that is dynamic. In this context, tradition is not stagnant. I come from a background of tradition and have studied it well. Many of my works use traditional phrases as raw materials. I continuously strive to experiment and create something new that intersects with tradition. For me, tradition and experimental/contemporary elements are critical. I practice both.”
Sekaa (orchestras) gamelan adhere to specific rules and techniques concerning tuning, layout, rhythmic and metric patterns, and performance. Septa’s playful and intentional disordering of these rules considers new modes of production and sharing of the gamelan music. Today, the gamelan ensemble remains integral to rituals and ceremonies throughout Bali.
As a method of expression and contribution to the new music of Balinese gamelan, Septa has designed a new gamelan ensemble and established an independent gamelan group called "Nata Swara." The ensemble includes Gamelan Sada Sancaya and Kendang Briuk (Balinese Kendang Ensemble).
“Every audience has a diverse perspective in appreciating my work. This is due to the different levels of knowledge, experience, and ways of enjoying art from each audience. For me, the controversy between my work and the audience is natural. But I remain consistent and confident in what I do.”
Putu Septa collaborates with many artists both in Indonesia and internationally. His work spans instrumental music, dance compositions, film scores, and more. Septa’s distinct musical compositions position him at the forefront of contemporary music and sound.
