From Martial Arts Movies To Guzheng Maestro: Indonesian Musician Ngartini Huang’s Musical Journey

Ngartini Huang, an Indonesian musician, grew up watching martial arts films and was captivated by their background music. This fascination led her to learn traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng and pipa, which eventually led her to attend Sun Wen Yen Music School in Shanghai, China. Recently, she performed at the Soundscapes of India showcase festival in New Delhi, organized by the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) and curated by MusiConnect India.

The guzheng, often referred to as the Chinese zither, has been played for over 2,200 or 2,300 years. It is made of Paulownia wood and features a minimum of 21 strings. During her performance in Delhi, Ngartini played the guzheng accompanied by Aldo on flute, Zakky on keyboards, and Lana on multi-percussion.

Dressed in a Chinese hanfu jacket and adorned with a traditional Indonesian necklace, Ngartini brought a unique blend of styles to her performance. Her goal was to create a joyful atmosphere, deviating from the serious expressions typically associated with classical Chinese music.

Ngartini composed pieces inspired by her love for jade, French farewells, and Jaipur's pink color. She also incorporated elements of Indian culture, such as the inclusion of the tabla, a traditional Indian percussion instrument. Other popular tunes she performed included Whisper in the Night and Take No Niva, inspired by a Japanese bamboo garden.

As a torchbearer of Chinese culture, Ngartini aims to promote the Four Arts of China and establish a music academy in Medan to foster traditional Chinese instruments. She is also a lecturer at the University of North Sumatra and strives to collaborate with Indian musicians, planning visits to Kolkata and Goa in the future.