The Term Karawitan

This commentary explores the term karawitan, the Javanese word for traditional gamelan music, and contrasts it with the widespread international use of “gamelan.” Perlman traces its historical meanings from Old Javanese to modern usage, noting associations with refinement, sung poetry, dance, wayang, and craftsmanship. While karawitan has entered Indonesian with broader applications, sometimes controversially, the article argues that adopting the term can help global gamelan communities speak more precisely about traditional forms.