BRI Stories | He makes music a bridge for cultural exchange between China and Indonesia

Randy Geovani Putra explains a Gamelan instrument at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

NANNING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Randy Geovani Putra, 36, hails from Bandung, Indonesia. He came to Guangxi to study for a master's degree in 2015. Upon graduation in 2018, he became a teacher of the Gamelan (an Indonesian orchestra composed mainly of tuned percussion instruments) art at Guangxi Arts University, and also served as the principal of the university's Gamelan. In his teaching, Randy tries to combine Gamelan with traditional Chinese music performances, and his works have been highly appreciated by students and audiences. Thanks to his promotion, more and more students at the university fell in love with Gamelan. "Music knows no boundaries. I hope more Chinese people could appreciate the beauty of Gamelan, making it a bridge for cultural exchange between China and my homeland," Randy said.

Randy Geovani Putra (4th L) and his orchestra perform during the 10th China-ASEAN Music Festival in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 3, 2021. (Xinhua)

Randy Geovani Putra (2nd L) talks with students at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra (1st R) talks with students at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra adjusts a Gamelan instrument at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra browses library documents at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra wipes a musical instrument at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra seeks inspiration for composing at a park in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra (R, front) talks with students at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra's students practice Gamelan at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra (1st R) rehearses with his students at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra (R) composes with a student at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Randy Geovani Putra tests a Gamelan instrument at Guangxi Arts University in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)