ABSTRACT
Joget Gamelan is the term used to describe a female classical dance tradition of Malaysia. Once performed in the royal courts of the east coast states of Pahang and Terengganu, it has found its place today in the dance world of contemporary Malaysia. The practice of Joget Gamelan dates back to the mid-18th century when active court patronage was provided for the arts in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. For a quarter of a century after 1942, nothing was heard or seen of Joget Gamelan. Several changes have occurred with the contemporary practice of Joget Gamelan. The single-most significant change is the setting for the dance. Joget Gamelan has emerged from a royal environment into a more common and public sphere. Joget Gamelan is featured in the creation of new dance dramas in which traditional Joget Gamelan dances may be presented as part of the dance drama, or new creations choreographed using basic Joget Gamelan movement vocabulary.
