Indonesia pays tribute to Pranadjaja<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pranadjaja Djojodinoto, Indonesia's renowned
\ntenor, and classical and pop music teacher, left his Jl. Radio IV
\nresidence in South Jakarta for the last time yesterday to the
\nsong of As Long As I Have Music performed by 35 of his students.<\/p>\n
The body of Pranadjaja, founder of the Bina Vokalia music
\nfoundation who died of a heart attack while on stage Sunday, was
\nbrought to Tanah Kusir Cemetery yesterday for burial after
\nfriends, government officials and students paid their tributes.<\/p>\n
More than 200 people came to his residence to pay their last
\nrespects and to console grieving relatives.<\/p>\n
Azwar Anas, coordinating minister for people's welfare, said
\nit would be very difficult to replace a man of Pranadjaja's
\ngenius for teaching music.<\/p>\n
\"His fight was to increase the stature of the country in
\nmusic. One requires a thorough understanding of music to be able
\nto win competitions in so many notable parts of the world known
\nfor music,\" said Azwar.<\/p>\n
\"His dedication to his profession was total.\"<\/p>\n
Azwar added that Pranadjaja's widow told him that their
\nyoungest daughter, Citra Ambarsari, 27, had been asked by her
\nfather to follow in his footsteps and run the foundation.<\/p>\n
Azwar said he would \"check to see if Pranadjaja was going to
\nbe specially awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture for
\nhis merits.\"<\/p>\n
Music conductor and violinist Idris Sardi said Pranadjaja's
\ndeath dealt a major blow to the nation.<\/p>\n
Whether in classical, pop or fusion, Pranadjaja was \"one who
\nhad a keen understanding of music which made him able to deal
\nwith the 'globalized' aspects of it,\" Idris said.<\/p>\n
\"He was music's very own patriot. I call him a patriot because
\nhe did not commercialize his talent. He educated people with it.\"<\/p>\n
He added that he was truly sad because \"it has become too
\ndifficult an era to cope without this man.\"<\/p>\n
Vocalist Titiek Puspa, who has just celebrated her 60th
\nbirthday on Saturday, said: \"The man was extremely thorough when
\nit came to his students. Whether Hetty Koes Endang or Titi
\nDwijayati, I don't know any student of his who has come out of
\nBina Vokalia feeling insecure about his or her vocal skills.\"<\/p>\n
\"Whenever I needed vocal support for my music, all I had to do
\nwas call him and he would promptly send me his best students.\"<\/p>\n
Students and parents who met at the residence recalled vividly
\nseeing the 66-year old Pranadjaja fall to the ground shortly
\nafter performing a solo at the Jakarta Japanese School in South
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
\"I was there to see my granddaughters Amanda and Putri
\nperform. He was strong enough to sing O' Solemio. I saw him near
\nthe corner of the stage, when there was a loud thud,\" said a
\nmourning woman.<\/p>\n
Pranadjaja was pronounced dead at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday
\non the way to Pondok Indah Hospital.<\/p>\n
A pianist at Bina Vokalia, Lily Irman, said the students
\nseemed to be holding up quite well, considering that Pranadjaja
\nfell \"right in front of them\".<\/p>\n
Student vocalist Melissa said she would truly miss her
\nteacher. \"He used to work eight to 10 hours a day, so we used to
\nsee a lot of him. He was a very disciplined person,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"At every dress rehearsal, he would have us in our costumes,
\nsinging till perfection. If anything was out of place, he would
\ncall us privately and explain the mistake.\"<\/p>\n
The tenor was however, more known for engaging in educational
\npursuits than making his own name in the glamor-world of music.<\/p>\n
Born in Yogyakarta in 1929, Pranadjaja is survived by his
\nwidow, four daughters and 10 grandchildren.<\/p>\n
He served as commander of Battalion XV of Yogyakarta (1945-
\n1947) before working at the Ministry of Home Affairs (1952-1958)
\nand later, at the Ministry of Education and Culture (1958-1978).
\nIn his lifetime, he received many national awards, including a
\nnotable one by the Japanese government,The Order of Rising Sun,
\nGold and Silver Rays.<\/p>\n
His work as an educator won him international recognition
\nthrough his foundation Bina Vokalia, founded in 1972. The main
\nbranch has approximately 1,000 students in Jakarta with
\ninstructors giving a variety of lessons in vocals, piano, guitar
\nand violin. The foundation has branched out to major cities in
\nIndonesia and boasts thousands of alumni throughout the nation.
\n(02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-pays-tribute-to-pranadjaja-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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