World-renowned Flute Maestro & Music Composer

I’m very proud to be a musician, to be able to make my own musical instruments, and to use my own creations to compose music and perform in front of a large audience
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
I’ve loved the traditional Balinese flute ever since I was little, because to me, the sound is breathtaking and gives me a sense of inner peace. So I always tried to learn from the (then) daily live performances in Peliatan, Ubud. I always looked up to all the professional flute players, so I would return home, and practise by myself.
My love of making bamboo flutes started when I was in university, and I always looked for the opportunity to develop my skills in making them and several other bamboo musical instruments. In 2008, I had the idea to start my own band which would combine all of the bamboo musical instruments that I made, and a guitar. Flute then became a part of my soul, and so did my music creations. At the end of 2009, we released our first album entitled “Rhythm of Paradise”, which consisted of eight songs – one of which was “Morning Happiness”, which became a legendary.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m very proud to be a musician, to be able to make my own musical instruments, and to use my own creations to compose music and perform in front of a large audience… These are my most notable personal accomplishments.
What impact have you made in Bali?
Within a year of releasing our first album, my music was played everyday in almost every hotel, restaurant, spa, government building, and even the airport and the hospitals in Bali! I felt like my music has become a Bali icon. Many people have commented on the videos we upload on YouTube, telling us that our songs remind them of the beauty of Bali.
From then, the art of playing the flute, which was an unpopular choice of musical instrument, has now attracted many young musicians and music enthusiasts. They are even very proud enough to post pictures and videos of themselves playing the flute on social media, which hopefully will help preserve the art for the future and for younger generations.
What does the future look like for you?
The future of music in Bali will always be vibrant, whether it’s traditional, ceremonial, or modern, because there will always be people playing the gamelan, or those looking for “new and unique” sounds.
As for the future of Bali, I’m unsure of what the massive tourism and development will do to our island. I’ve been living in a village ever since I can remember, and back then, it was always peaceful and surrounded by nature. Now, there are villas, hotels and restaurants being built non-stop. I used to not worry about my kids playing in the streets because there weren’t many cars around… Now, it’s all changed, with many tourists and fast motorbikes and cars roaming the streets. The river where we used to bathe in clean water, as well as our village life in general, have also been impacted. I still don’t know whether this change is for the better or worse – hopefully it’s the former, with government officials enforcing stricter rules.
What do you love most about Bali?
I love taking a dip in the natural spring water or the ocean with white sandy beaches. I also love that we are still putting offerings in natural sites to honour them – a tradition which I hope will be preserved for the next generations.
Who or what do you listen to when you're looking for inspiration?
I’m always inspired by the Balinese gamelan, Sundanese gamelan, and other traditional musical instruments. I also appreciate international musicians, like Coldplay, Guns ‘n Roses, and many more… But, I have to say Coldplay is my favourite – they create beautiful melodies with unique arrangements.
Who is your Local Legend and why?
Si Kak Pangkung. He was one of the best flute players who passed away a few years ago. He was able to play the flute for 1.5 hours, without stopping – that’s unbelievably amazing! I used to watch him perform with the Legong Dance in my village Peliatan when I was little.