Dr. Citra Aryandari is an ethnomusicologist and cultural scholar whose thoughtful research bridges the ancient and contemporary, the local and global, in her exploration of Southeast Asian musical traditions. As a lecturer at Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta and founder of the Citra Research Center, Dr. Aryandari has quietly but persistently worked to decolonize ethnomusicological discourse and explore new understandings of cultural authenticity in the modern world.
Her scholarly journey began with a deep immersion in musical traditions, earning her doctorate in Performance and Visual Arts Studies from Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2012. This foundation has evolved into a remarkable career spanning multiple continents and disciplines, from her guest lectureship at the University of Amsterdam to her pioneering work with international research collaborations, including Sonic Entanglement (2019-2021) and DeCoSEAS (2021-2023).
Dr. Aryandari’s research approach centers on what she calls “unsilencing the archives” – a gentle but determined methodology that invites dialogue with Western-centric approaches to ethnomusicology while revealing the sophisticated narrative techniques embedded in Javanese manuscripts and performance traditions. Her work thoughtfully examines the intricate relationship between textual and visual elements in Southeast Asian cultural artifacts, particularly focusing on how indigenous communities have developed their methods of archiving and transmitting knowledge through what she terms “singing scrolls.”
As Executive Director of SEAMEX Institute and former Executive Council member of Southeast Asia Director of Music (2017-2023), Dr. Aryandari has been instrumental in fostering cross-cultural musical exchange and education throughout the region. Her leadership extends beyond academia through her roles as Director of the Citra Jejak Bangsa Foundation and SEAMEX Indonesia, where she advocates for cultural preservation while embracing innovation.
Her scholarly output reflects this thoughtful approach, encompassing over 50 publications, documentary films, and international presentations that seek to bridge understanding across cultures. Recent works include “Decolonizing Java: Rethinking Gamelan, Bodies, and Cultural Authenticity” (2025) and “Performing vs Recording: The Sound of Modern Bali,” published by Amsterdam University Press. Her documentary films, including “Song of Marginalized Women” and “Fight for God,” have been screened at international venues from Canada to Europe, earning recognition for their sensitive portrayal of cultural complexity.
During her residency at Yale, Dr. Aryandari will conduct intensive research in the Wurtele Study Center, examining materials that will illuminate the sophisticated archival methods developed by Javanese communities. Her project promises to challenge conventional Western approaches to manuscript studies while offering fresh perspectives on how non-Western societies conceptualize the relationship between text, image, and performance.
Dr. Aryandari’s residency at Yale represents an opportunity for meaningful scholarly exchange – embodying her commitment to fostering understanding across different knowledge systems and research traditions. Her work demonstrates that profound insights often emerge when traditional wisdom meets contemporary scholarship, when local knowledge contributes to universal questions, and when diverse voices are welcomed into academic discourse.
Through her multifaceted career as educator, researcher, filmmaker, and cultural advocate, Dr. Aryandari continues to expand our understanding of how music, ritual, and visual culture intersect to create meaning in Southeast Asian societies, making her an invaluable addition to Yale’s scholarly community.