Formed in October 1988, the Semara Ratih gamelan ensemble is led by an up-and-coming young dancer, Anak Agung Anom Putra. Gamelan groups in Bali generally center around an entire village, with the instruments jointly owned. Such village-based gamelan ensembles are obligated to offer their services at temple festivals, and various other village ceremonies.

Semara Ratih was formed by a group of young musicians who hoped to break away from this village-bound tradition. Most of its members are teachers or students at STSI (Sekolah Tanggih Seni Indonesia), the national arts university. The remaining members actively perform in the Ubud village and surrounding area. The group strives to perpetuate traditional Balinese music and dance forms while exploring new and experimental works. The guiding force behind this search for new direction is the well-known composer and performer I Nyoman Windha, the group’s musical director. Semara Ratih has performed a variety of his works under his direction, while breaking new ground in the dance realm and simultaneously reviving classical works that face seeming extinction. Their goal to challenge both the old and new is made possible by its innovative gamelan, known as gong semara dana.