Calung

Calung is a waditra type of percussion tool made of bamboo. At first this waditra was a kalangenan art (hobby), but in its development Calung has become a popular performing art.

The term Calung comes from the word ca = maca (read), lung = dazed (confused). In the past, waditra Calung was presented as an independent instrument (single) and was usually played in quiet places by people waiting for rice in the fields or rice fields. For those who play it, Calung is a music for consolation or consolation for a confused heart (haté nu keur liwung).

Waditra Calung consists of 3 kinds, namely Calung Rantay, Calung Gambang and Calung Jingjing.

1. Calung Rantay

It is a calung consisting of 10 bamboo sticks, mounted in a row using rope ties.

2. Calung Xylophone

This waditra is almost the same as Calung Rantay, the difference lies in the way the bamboo slats are placed on ancak/standard, like the Gambang waditra.

3. Jingjing necklace

It is a calung in which each rumpung (a series of bamboo blades) is displayed by hanging (holding the left hand), without using ancak or standard. Calung Jingjing consists of 4 Rumpung shapes. The first smallest cluster called Kingking serves as a melody. The second rumpung is called Panempas which serves as a variation on the song's arkuh. The third Calung called Jongjrong serves as the song arkuh and the fourth largest Calung called Gonggong functions as Kempul and Goong.

In performing arts, the type of Calung that is often used is Jingjing. Calung Jingjing is a form of development of Calung Rantay and Calung Gambang which was creatively developed by Ekik Barkah, Parmas et al, activists from the Department of Arts, UNPAD Bandung, 1960.

Calung's development is not only in his waditra form, but his appearance has also developed into a performing art that is spectacle or entertainment. Today's popular Calung art form has been complemented by vocals/songs, humorous dialogues, humorous movements and jokes that invite laughter from the audience.

Source: Waditra's Book Knowing Regional Art Tools in West Java by Drs Ubun Kubarsah R