Independence Day makes merry with sound of dangdut<\/p>\n
Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia's 58th celebration of Independence Day is only two days
\naway. Many neighborhood units or district offices have geared up
\nto welcome the big day.<\/p>\n
Besides staging a variety of competitions, from soccer to
\nchess, karaoke to cooking, people are also busy booking local
\nbands or singers for the celebration.<\/p>\n
A singer of dangdut (popular music with Indian and Middle
\nEastern influences), Nurhayati, popularly called \"Yati Amelia,\"
\n20, will be busy singing from one area to another from Aug. 18
\nthrough Aug. 22.<\/p>\n
Yati, who started her career while in junior high school, said
\nthat she hoped to receive Rp 100,000 (US$11.63) to Rp 500,000 per
\nshow, depending on the contract, number of songs and the
\noccasion.<\/p>\n
The amount is far less than \"drilling queen\" Inul Daratista
\nwould expect to earn, as she reportedly receives at least Rp 50
\nmillion per show.<\/p>\n
\"I don't have any commitments on Aug. 17 but will perform in
\nSerpong the next day. I'm not really sure about the rest of the
\nschedule -- I have to check again with the band leader,\" said
\nYati, who won last year's first prize in a contest staged by Bens
\nRadio.<\/p>\n
\"Being able to entertain and perform well in front of a crowd
\nis a big source of satisfaction: Money is not a big deal.
\nHowever, the amount of money that I receive depends on the
\ncontract; whether I sing with a backing band or solo,\" said the
\nresident of Bintaro, Tangerang.<\/p>\n
Yati claimed that she never promoted herself but many of her
\ncostumers did so through word-of-mouth recommendation.<\/p>\n
Like Yati, Pak Niman, the leader of a dangdut band for the
\npast two years, has also received requests to perform in Bintaro
\non Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 for Independence Day.<\/p>\n
\"We have some contracts for the celebration in areas around
\nour neighborhood. We are still negotiating with organizers from
\nother areas like Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, and Serpong,
\nTangerang,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Niman's band receives Rp 4 million to Rp 5 million per show,
\nexclusive of sound system, stage or lighting. Should organizers
\nrequest that equipment, they must add some Rp 3 million to the
\nfee.<\/p>\n
\"The band members don't earn that much. Most of them are more
\nconcerned about giving their best performance on stage rather
\nthan payment. So far, none has complained about payment,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
After deducting singers' fees, sound system and lighting
\nrental, the Rp 4 million performance fee is divided up equally
\nbetween the nine members of the band, he said.<\/p>\n
The band now has 24 members, including musicians, singers,
\nsecurity guards and road crew.<\/p>\n
With entertainers like Niman and Yati concentrating more on
\nperformance, their audiences will enjoy celebrating the country's
\nindependence.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/independence-day-makes-merry-with-sound-of-dangdut-1447893297",
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