[1] Balawan listened to Balinese gamelan, a traditional music style from Bali, since birth.

He studied in Sydney for about five years, during which time he also gained popularity for his exceptional talent of playing guitar and jazz music.

Recently Balawan launched his second solo album, "Magic Fingers", under the Sony-BMG Music Indonesia label.

As Balawan is considered as the only Indonesian guitarist who able to develop and use the "Touch Tapping" style, he often plays in Germany and Norway.

In 2000, Balawan collaborated with many international guitarists at "East Meet West Gitarren Festival Edekoben Germany 2000 Tour".

Balawan developed the same progression with Stanley Jordan, that he is able to produce a piano, bass and guitar at the same time using just one instrument.

[2] Balawan also plays drums, both to fill the tracks on his albums and to develop the "Touch Tapping" style.