Chinese music troupe strives to survive<\/p>\n
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Beneath the escalator, amid the cosmetics counters that sprawl on
\nthe ground floor of Sogo Department Store, Plaza Senayan, Central
\nJakarta, a group of six elders were playing traditional Chinese
\ninstruments.<\/p>\n
Dressed in blue cheong sam, they performed instrumental
\nChinese songs on ta yoan (banjo-like bass), xiao (traditional
\nflute), erhu (a viola-like instrument) and yang kim. The last
\nresembles the kecapi (an Indonesian stringed instrument), but
\nunlike the kecapi, the yang kim player beats the strings with
\nsticks.<\/p>\n
Played together, the instruments produce music that creates a
\nrelaxing sensation.<\/p>\n
Including middle-age businessmen, one of whom is 70 years old,
\nthe group claimed to be the only one in the country that
\nperformed with traditional Chinese instruments.<\/p>\n
\"Many groups perform barongsai (the lion dance), but none of
\nthem specializes in traditional Chinese musical instruments, as
\nwe do,\" group manager Rita Hansari, 40, said recently.<\/p>\n
Simply named Grup Seni Musik Tionghoa, the group, comprising
\n15 members, has four women singers, and was established in 1999.<\/p>\n
\"We hope to preserve our ancestral (musical) tradition, to
\nprevent it from becoming extinct, especially as Chinese culture
\nwas long banned in this country,\" said group member Tjhen Siung
\nYun, 60.<\/p>\n
Back in the period when president Soeharto's regime was still
\nin power, ethnic Chinese were banned from celebrating their New
\nYear's Day openly. They were also banned from making an open
\ndisplay of cultural expression, as part of the regime's
\nassimilation policy.<\/p>\n
It was not until the year 2000 that the policy was revoked by
\npresident Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
Since the ban was lifted, the group has received a lot of
\ninvitations and today performs at least three times per month,
\nmostly at wedding receptions.<\/p>\n
\"Around Chinese New Year, we can perform up to 40 times within
\nthe space of two weeks,\" Rita said.<\/p>\n
With all the instruments, costumes and sheet music imported
\nfrom China, the group has set a price of Rp 2.5 million to Rp 3.5
\nmillion (US$388.90) for a one-hour performance.<\/p>\n
They play a range of Chinese music, from traditional,
\nclassical and opera to modern tunes, even Indonesian songs.<\/p>\n
\"These instruments have a wide range,\" Tjhen explained.<\/p>\n
Playing many different kinds of instrument since the age 20 as
\na hobby, Tjhen said he was worried that the art would not be
\npassed down to the younger generation.<\/p>\n
\"None of my children wants to learn how to play these
\ninstruments,\" said Tjhen, who is from the second generation of
\nhis family to live in this country.<\/p>\n
Another obstacle is members' activities outside the group,
\nwhich makes it difficult for them to find time to rehearse. Night
\nrehearsals are the most convenient, but given their age, it is
\nquite a burden for them.<\/p>\n
\"We're now preparing a school for young people to learn the
\ncraft. In the school that we're going to establish, they can
\nlearn means of Chinese cultural expression, like calligraphy,
\nmusic, barongsai or opera,\" Rita said.<\/p>\n
Despite the obstacles, Tjhen said he was content that Chinese
\ncultural performances were no longer banned.<\/p>\n
\"I was asked repeatedly to change my name to make it sound
\nmore Indonesian. I could have changed my name to 100 others, but
\nfor what? I live here and I want to die here because my heart is
\nhere,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Thank God, although some forms of discrimination still exist,
\nat least we can display our culture. Anywhere in the world,
\ncultural expression should be freely permitted.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/chinese-music-troupe-strives-to-survive-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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