Gambang Kromong still casts a spell of beauty<\/p>\n
P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Plaza Senayan burst with the voices and cheers of dozens of
\nstudents, shoppers and visitors when 77-year-old Encim (Mrs.)
\nMasnah, in a bright pink costume, shook her hips and outstretched
\nher arms, dancing and singing to the melodious Gambang Kromong
\norchestra.<\/p>\n
Her voice cracked with age as she sang, yet her spirit spread
\nwarmth throughout the audience smitten by the complex musical
\narrangements of the classical Chinese songs she was singing.<\/p>\n
The show was opened by the instrumental piece Phobin Kongjilok
\nand was then followed by classical songs, such as Phoa Silitan,
\nCenteh Manis Berdiri, Keramat Karem and Stambul.<\/p>\n
The faces in the audience shone with delight and amazement as
\nthough under the spell of beauty cast by the lyrics.<\/p>\n
\"Phoa Silitan tells the story of a woman named Bu Tjek Hian,\"
\nMasnah said. Bu Tjek Hian was a Chinese heroine who led a
\nrebellion and became the empress of China from 690 A.D. to 705
\nA.D., against the backdrop of male-dominated Chinese society.<\/p>\n
\"My father passed the song on to me when I was still a
\nteenager. Since then, I have dedicated my life to Gambang
\nKromong,\" said Masnah, who has performed the genre for more than
\n50 years. She is the only singer in her group -- and perhaps the
\nonly one among all Gambang Kromong groups -- who has a repertoire
\nof all the classical songs.<\/p>\n
The songs and the music brought the audience back to about 450
\nyears ago in Batavia, the old name for Jakarta. At that time,
\nChinese musician Nie Hukong, who was also the chief of the
\nChinese community, blended Chinese and Sundanese musical
\ninstruments into what is now known as Gambang Kromong.<\/p>\n
Chinese nuances are strongly evident in the songs and music.
\nTwo-stringed Chinese traditional musical instruments, such as teh
\nyan, kong an yan and shu kong, harmoniously mix with Sundanese
\ntraditional instruments, such as gambang, similar to a xylophone,
\nkromong, the ten-note gamelan, kendang leather drum, the small
\nkenong gong and ning-nong, high-pitched bronze gamelan, in
\nbeautiful compositions.<\/p>\n
The genre didn't change much until rural communities began to
\nmodernize the music, playing to people's attraction for modern
\nmusic, such as dangdut, pop and rock.<\/p>\n
With their dedication and love of the traditional music,
\nMasnah and her group still hold their own despite the
\ncompetition. However, they occasionally include an electric
\norgan, bass guitar and lead guitar in their acts in a touch of
\nmodernity.<\/p>\n
\"We have to keep up with the dynamic changes so people will
\nstill be attracted to this traditional music,\" said Ong Gian, 47,
\nwho has performed Gambang Kromong since he was 17.<\/p>\n
Most members of the group live in Sewan and Kampung Melayu,
\nsubdistricts in Tangerang, West Jakarta, where the majority of
\nresidents are Indonesians of Chinese descent, whose families have
\nlived there for hundreds of years. But instead of secluding
\nthemselves, the community has assimilated into their environment,
\nmingling with others and taking part in promoting local art and
\ncultural heritage, such as Gambang Kromong.<\/p>\n
Gambang Kromong is a renowned traditional musical genre in
\nTangerang, and holds a special place in the hearts of the people
\nthere. Gambang Kromong groups usually perform at parties,
\nweddings, Chinese New Year -- known locally as Imlek -- and at
\nthe anniversaries of Buddhist temples.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, few young people care to take part in nurturing
\nthe tradition or even to see the performances.<\/p>\n
\"People, especially the youth, are more attracted to dangdut
\nshows, rather than Gambang Kromong,\" said Masnah sadly.<\/p>\n
\"That is true,\" Ong Gian said. \"It is so hard these days to
\nfind young people who will dedicate their time to learn and keep
\nup this traditional music. Even my own children are not
\ninterested in joining in.\"<\/p>\n
Currently, Masnah is grooming the two youngest members of the
\ngroup, Lia, 34, and Yuli, 25, to master all the classical songs
\nso they won't fade away.<\/p>\n
\"We are thankful to the committee who has supported this
\nevent, because this will help people learn more about Gambang
\nKromong and other traditional cultural performances,\" Ong Gian
\nsaid, referring to the organizing committee of the Celebrating
\nIndonesia cultural performance festival and exhibition, held at
\nPlaza Senayan from Oct. 10 to Oct. 12 and Oct. 10 to Oct. 17,
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
\"This is a good start,\" said Ratna Riantiarno, project officer
\nof the Arts Appreciation Program, which also contributed to the
\nCelebrating Indonesia festival. \"Hopefully, this event will draw
\nmore interest from the public -- especially young people -- to
\nappreciate and love our own cultural heritage more.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gambang-kromong-still-casts-a-spell-of-beauty-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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