Gamelan refers to the traditional ensemble music of Indonesia, especially associated with the islands of Java and Bali. At its core, the gamelan is a collection of bronze percussion instruments performed in complex, multilayered rhythmic and harmonic structures. However, gamelan encompasses a diverse array of regional styles, instruments, and performance traditions that have evolved over centuries across Southeast Asia.

Gamelan has long been closely linked to the power and prestige of royal courts and sultanates across the Malay world, with rulers using the music to project an aura of spiritual and political authority. In the 20th century, as Southeast Asian nations gained independence from colonial powers, gamelan experienced a vibrant cultural revitalization, leading to its increasing popularity and dissemination around the world. Today, gamelan ensembles can be found globally, and innovative composers have incorporated gamelan aesthetics into cutting-edge contemporary classical music works.