by Zaynah Almasri
At Wesleyan University, we are fortunate to be home to many remarkable faculty members who enrich our academic community, among them Professor Sumarsam, the Winslow-Kaplan Professor of Music, who profoundly embodies the spirit of cultural preservation, scholarship, and artistic mastery. A world-renowned scholar and master musician of Javanese gamelan, Professor Sumarsam has dedicated his life to both teaching and advancing the global appreciation of Javanese culture. His recent accolades serve as powerful reminders of how lucky we are to learn from and alongside him here at Wesleyan.
International Recognition for Cultural Leadership
In 2025, Professor Sumarsam was awarded the Praba Nawasena Budaya Award by the Center of Excellence in Science and Technology of Javanology at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS). This prestigious honor recognized his outstanding dedication and leadership in developing and promoting Javanese culture worldwide. The same institution also acknowledged Wesleyan University itself, granting it a certificate of recognition for achieving 4th place in the UNS Jawametrik (International Category)—a testament to the university’s significant contributions, guided by Professor Sumarsam, in preserving Javanese traditions in an international academic environment.
These honors underscore not only Professor Sumarsam’s personal accomplishments but also the global impact of his work at Wesleyan.
Scholarly Excellence
Professor Sumarsam is not only a celebrated performer and teacher but also a deeply respected scholar. His groundbreaking book, The In-Between in Javanese Performing Arts: History and Myth, Interculturalism and Interreligiosity, has recently garnered two major international distinctions. The ICTMD [International Council for Traditional Music and Dance] Book Prize Committee honored it with the Best Book Award, while UNIMA-USA (Union Internationale de la Marionnette) bestowed the 2025 Nancy Staub Publications Award.
Published by the Wesleyan University Press, Sumarasam’s book marks the “first comprehensive overview of Javanese performing arts,” tracing their evolution from ancient roots to their dynamic present. By exploring the concept of the “in-between,” a rich, liminal conceptual area home to the interactions of “dualisms—myth and history, sacred and secular, and personal and cultural,” Sumarsam offers readers a profound insight into Javanese performance traditions. Drawing from his lifetime of immersion in wayang (shadow puppetry) and gamelan music, he paints a vivid picture of an art form that is simultaneously historical and contemporary, ritualistic and aesthetic, local and global.
A Legacy and a Gift to Wesleyan
Through his teaching and leadership, Professor Sumarsam has shaped Wesleyan into a unique hub for world music studies. His classes and the university’s gamelan ensemble invite students from all backgrounds to experience the collaborative and meditative power of Javanese music while connecting them to broader histories of art, spirituality, and intercultural exchange. This work embodies the liberal arts mission: crossing disciplines, bridging cultures, and cultivating global awareness.
At the same time, his achievements remind us of how fortunate Wesleyan is to be a home for such an extraordinary cultural figure. In an era when many traditions risk being overshadowed by globalization, Professor Sumarsam preserves, reinterprets, and shares Javanese arts in ways that are both authentic and accessible. His presence elevates Wesleyan on the world stage and enriches the lives of students on campus, ensuring that they don’t just learn about music—they participate in a living tradition. Wesleyan is profoundly lucky to count Professor Sumarsam among its faculty.