Udjo Ngalagena
Born
in March 5th, 1929 from the couple Wiranta and Imi, Little Udjo started his
journey in music, art and culture, since he was 4 years old.
Udjo began to learn Angklung in both diatonic and pentatonic
tone scale – which made him good to play traditional Sundanese and popular
Indonesian songs – Dutch songs also come to that.
His talent kept growing and he became an art teacher in several
schools in Bandung. To improve his knowledge and ability, Udjo did not hesitate
to learn directly from the experts, such as : Mang Koko the Kacapi expert;
Rd.Machyar Angga Kusumahdinata the gamelan guru; and Daeng Soetigna the
re–inventor of Angklung diatonic. Soon he became the assistant of Daeng
Soetigna, and led performances on behalf of the teacher.
His passionate love for art and culture is a reason for Udjo
Ngalagena and his wife Uum Sumiati to establish Saung Angklung Udjo by itself.
His married with Uum Sumiati has 10 children, and thanks God they are inherited
much of Udjo’ passion and talent for Angklung.
As
he passed away in May 3rd, 2001, the daughters and sons kept continuing SAU.
Thankfully some spirit will never change.
Grow With Us
Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) is one–stop cultural workshop,
consists of : performance venue, bamboo handicraft centre, and bamboo
instrument workshop. Apart from that, SAU has an honorable function as an
educational laboratory and training centre to preserve the Sundanese culture –
Angklung in particular.
Established
in 1966 by Udjo Ngalagena and his beloved wife Uum Sumiati, with a strong
purpose and dedication to conserve and preserve Sundanese traditional art and
culture.
SAU illustrates nature and culture in harmony, its no wonder SAU
becomes a noticeable destination where people could experience Sundanese
culture as a part of world heritage.
Located in eastern Bandung, SAU is a perfect tranquility for
enjoying fresh–breeze–air and beautiful bamboo domination, from the bamboo
crafts and interiors to the sound of musical instruments.
History of Angklung
Long
time ago, angklung was an instrument that had religious ritual function. The
main function of angklung was as a medium to invite Dewi Sri (rice
goddess/prosperity) to come down to the earth and gave fertility to plants.
They used tritonik (three tones) angklung, tetra tonik (four tones) and
pentatonic (five tones). This kind of angklung usually calls angklung buhun
that means ‘the old angklung’ which had not been influenced by other elements. Until
now, some villages still use angklung buhun in many ceremonies, such as pesta
panen, ngaseuk pare, nginebkeun pare, ngampihkeun pare, seren taun, nadran,
helaran, turun bumi, sedekah bumi, etc.
Art Performance
Present a line of breathtaking performances, for both internal and external shows. Experience the internal shows : Afternoon Bamboo Show, Half–Day at Saung Angklung Udjo, A Day at Saung Angklung Udjo and Angklung Udjo Workshop.
As well as the external shows which are wrapped in fascinating
package : Iwung, Awi, Gombong, Arumba and other Sundanese Performances.
The Internal Performances
Afternoon Bamboo Show
The show is packed with several spectacular short–performances, contains : Wayang Golek demonstration, Helaran procession, Traditional Dances and Angklung for beginner, Angklung orchestra, Angklung interactive to Arumba. At the end of the show, the visitors are asked to join the performing children to dance together. Adding to the show is enclosed with a massive Sundanese atmosphere. Afternoon Bamboo Show is a performance with a concept originated by the late Udjo Ngalagena called Kaulinan Urang Lembur.
Half Day at Saung Angklung Udjo
Aim students – from Kindergarten to Senior High – as partakers
to encounter the Sundanese culture by itself.
Start the day with circling Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) complex
and knowing the story of SAU from its beginning to the recent day, followed by
learning to make Angklung along with the talented bamboo craftsmen, then, watch
the bamboo show Kaulina Urang Lembur at the Bale Karesmen, and in the early
afternoon, all the participants feed their stomach ala Kampung Sunda in a
pleasant backyard. At the end of the program, everyone writes–down his or her
wonderful experience at SAU.
Saung Angklung Udjo Workshop
Through this program, the participants deserve an opportunity to
make their own Angklung and fortunately will be played in the bamboo show
Kaulinan Urang Lembur as part of the performance – and to be taken home as
souvenir.
The External Performances
Iwung (Interactive)
Offer an interactive Angklung performance along with the
audience, the harmony sound of Angklung will all be heard playing popular
songs, and also, Angklung will be given as a souvenir with custom
writing–signature.
Awi (Interactive and Orchestra)
Within this package are Iwung and Angklung orchestra. Angklung
orchestra could be very emotional since it passes the philosophy of Angklung as
an integrity
Gombong
The experience to the most vibrant and cheerful bamboo show
Kaulinan Urang Lembur at your requested place – and that would be Gombong
package all about.
tool that raises the patriotic spirit.
Arumba (The Rhythm of Bamboo)
It is a new innovative–responsible form of an impressive bamboo
musical instrument – plays several genres of music from traditional, classic to
contemporary through the diatonic tone scale. Since its format is merely like
an ordinary band – it can meet the needs of your variant events.
Other Sundanese performances
Present other exotic Sundanese art and culture performances –
from Rampak Kendang dance and Calung Cilik to ceremonial procession and more
Sundanese activities.
Souvenir Shop
Make the experience complete by getting a souvenir home. SAU has been the home for finest Sundanese handicraft souvenir – specialized in bamboo product. SAU’ souvenir shop provides huge selections from of wedding souvenir and stationary to art–goods and miscellaneous souvenir.
Saung Angklung Udjo has been the home for finest Sundanese
handicrafts and has souvenir shop to match.
Plenty wide range selections of bamboo handicrafts are in this
souvenir shop. Have and share it for the people in and around your degrees.
Wedding gift
Memory is a wonderful thing. Make complete your happiness of your wedding day through share a fantastic gift. Here, we provide some of the best wedding gifts, which use bamboo of its material, which give much of Sundanese character.
Miscellaneous
Create a better mutual–relationship. Collect the sheer of the
bamboo souvenirs and pass among the persons near you. Either you could put a
special mark or your personal message on it to make the souvenir beautifully
and personally.
Souvenir shop is a place to appreciate art. And yet Saung
Angklung Udjo deals with the finest local craftsmen to create a line of unique
work of arts.
Stationery
Change your working atmosphere. Let’s start by choosing natural–material stationeries to support your working routine, rather in the office or your lovely home.