Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) is one–stop cultural workshop, consists of: performance venue, bamboo handicraft centre, and bamboo instrument workshop. Apart from that, SAU has an honorable function as an educational laboratory and training centre to preserve the Sundanese culture – Angklung in particular. Established in 1966 by Udjo Ngalagena and his beloved wife Uum Sumiati, with a strong purpose and dedication to conserve and preserve Sundanese traditional art and culture. SAU illustrates nature and culture in harmony, it’s no wonder SAU becomes a noticeable destination where people could experience Sundanese culture as a part of world heritage. Located in eastern Bandung, SAU is a perfect tranquility for enjoying fresh–breeze–air and beautiful bamboo domination, from the bamboo crafts and interiors to the sound of musical instruments.
The Story Begins
In the 50’, there is a family – a married couple with 10 children – who started a story of establishing a unique art performance venue; the idea was to make bamboo as theme, so, the chairs, the musical instruments and even the stage, all are made of bamboo. Unexpectedly, the performance impressed the audience with a memorable experience. Everywhere is laughter; everywhere is smile; everywhere is cheerful. Ever since the beginning, smiles and activities of the performing children become the spirit of this place. Daeng Soetigna inspired Udjo Ngalagena through a philosophy named 5Ms: Mudah (easy), Murah (cheap), Mendidik (educative), Menarik (attractive), Massal (mass). Later on, Udjo put one additional value to perfect this philosophy, which is Meriah (cheerful) – that would change the face of Angklung afterwards. Udjo developed those principals into a wonderful–ideal concept called Kaulinan Urang Lembur – a perfect combination of an attractive performance and a sense of educative. And that would be the reason why people visit SAU. Saung Angklung Udjo believes that harmonic relation is symbiosis mutualism which creates smile, warmth inside heart, and certifiable effort based on credibility for fulfilling the corporation goals.