Text from Travellers Official Information Bureau in Batavia reads as follows: A Balinese gamelan accompanying the dances. A Balinese dance orchestra is composed of a number of instruments not found in western orchestras and others which, albeit in a somewhat modified form, are quite well known to us. The fundamental instrument (from which the whole orchestra takes its name) is the gamelan, a row of tuned gongs suspended on cords and played as is a xylophone with hammers. The base is supplied by two or more enormous deep-toned gongs suspended in frames (here visible in the background). Drums and tom-toms form the percussion group and supply the rhythm. The music produced by such an agglomeration of instruments is, strange to say, not unpleasant. Heard under suitable conditions from a slight distance it may be very mellow and melodious, even when judged from western standards. The themes are lively and interesting and usually appeal deeply to Europeans.
