Segara Madu (“Sea of Honey”) is a Balinese gendér wayang ensemble based at SOAS, University of London. The group is directed by Dr Nick Gray and mostly plays pieces from the village of Sukawati, as taught by the late I Wayan Loceng.

Gendér Wayang is the name given to a duo or quartet of bronze metallophones used in Bali to accompany the shadow play or Wayang Kulit. This sacred drama is based on stories from ancient Indian epics. Gendér wayang also serves as a ritual ensemble playing for life-cycle ceremonies, temple festivals, purification rituals and cremations as part of Bali’s rich Hindu heritage.

The playing technique in this miniature gamelan ensemble is very demanding, as player must damp the ringing notes with their wrists while executing high-speed figuration that interlocks between the instruments. Bamboo resonating tubes beneath the keys give the sound a unique resonance.