Rare Indonesian music presented<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 1,000 cassette and video recordings of
\nrare traditional Indonesian music, the fruit of more than 25
\nyears work by two Australian professors, were presented to the
\nIndonesian government yesterday.<\/p>\n
The collection, produced by Margaret Kartomi, head of the
\nmusic department of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia,
\nand her husband Dris Kartomi, was presented by Amelia McKenzie of
\nthe Australian embassy to Director General of Culture Edi
\nSedyawati.<\/p>\n
Edi said at the ceremony that the collection was very valuable
\nbecause it provides comprehensive background on traditional
\nIndonesian music from 25 of the country's 27 provinces.<\/p>\n
\"It is a great contribution for the preservation and the
\ndevelopment of our cultural heritage and I hope it will encourage
\nus to continue this effort,\" Edi said.<\/p>\n
Since l970 the Kartomis have been recording traditional
\nIndonesian music. The collection, entitled The Kartomi Field
\nCollection of Indonesian Music, belongs to Monash University. The
\ntapes presented yesterday were duplicated with funds from the
\nAustralia-Indonesia Institute.<\/p>\n
Edi said the provision of copies to Indonesia was required of
\nthe researches by the Australian government. \"We have the
\nproperty rights to Indonesian traditional music. Therefore it is
\nour obligation to protect it,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The collection is to be entrusted to the National Library of
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
McKenzie said the archive could become a part of the valuable
\nreference materials that researchers, teachers and students need
\nfor their studies and an important culture asset for the
\nIndonesian people.<\/p>\n
A number of Indonesian scholars have already documented
\nIndonesian ethnic music.<\/p>\n
In the l950s and l960s, Gito Martoyo of state-owned Radio
\nRepublik Indonesia (RRI) began recording traditional music and
\ndances from the country's 27 provinces. However, the
\ndocumentation, including written articles and photos, were
\ndestroyed in a fire at RRI's building a few years ago. (raw)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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