Street singer with a difference<\/p>\n
Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Sujud Sutrisno is no ordinary wandering minstrel. Unlike other
\nstreet singers, who are generally considered an annoyance, Sujud
\nhas become a crown favorite. Yogyakartans know him as a humble,
\nfriendly, humorous and creative street artist whose presence is
\nvery much awaited.<\/p>\n
Sujud plays a solo kendang, a small drum covered with leather
\nat each end, and sings in a unique voice. His songs are now
\navailable on cassette.<\/p>\n
This debut album, called Kendang Tunggal (Solo Drum) and
\nreleased by Blass Record Yogyakarta, features 23 songs recorded
\nat Sujud's "live shows".<\/p>\n
"I hope my album will sell well so I can earn more money. I
\ndon't know why somebody suddenly became interested in recording
\nmy songs," he said during the recent launch of the album.<\/p>\n
"Even if this album flops, I will still thank God because
\nsomebody is documenting my work. If it sells well, I will thank
\nGod because it means I will earn more money," he said.<\/p>\n
Sujud began roaming the city and singing in 1965 when he was
\n14 years old, and has since made a name for himself as a busker.
\nHe has never considered himself to be a street singer, though.
\nHe facetiously call himself a "household tax collector".<\/p>\n
When wandering the city and singing, Sujud always wears tight
\npants with large pockets, like those found on the pants worn by
\nmountaineers. Donning a traditional Yogyakarta surjan or a long-
\nsleeved Javanese men's jacket, usually of woven, striped
\nmaterial, and a blangkon, or a men's Javanese headdress, he walks
\nthrough small alleys from one village to another, and like the
\nPied Piper is followed by a pack of happy children.<\/p>\n
When he stops at a house to sing, the owner will happily
\nwelcome him. His fans usually ask, in refined Javanese, "Why
\nhaven't you been here for so long?"<\/p>\n
As a professional street musician, Sujud knows how to maintain
\na good relationship with people. Even when he gets a cool
\nresponse and no money after singing a song, he still smiles.<\/p>\n
Because he has performed in several major cities across the
\ncountry, he does not only have admirers in Yogyakarta but also in
\ncities in Sumatra. Many people who have fallen in love with his
\nsongs have invited him to sing at special events.<\/p>\n
Sujud had a touching moment when he performed at an event
\norganized by PT Astra Jakarta. After the performance, one of the
\ncompany's executives approached him, saying, "Mas Sujud, I used
\nto follow you around when I was a boy."<\/p>\n
Sujud is well loved by almost the entire community, from small
\nalleys to star-rated hotels, because of his politeness and the
\nhumor of his songs. His trademark is singing other people's songs
\nbut modifying the lyrics and tunes.<\/p>\n
His repertoire includes popular children's songs as well as
\nwell-known adult pop, dangdut and folk songs.<\/p>\n
For Sujud, changing these songs is a simple job. "I never set
\naside a special time to modify the songs. I just do it before I
\nperform. So I find out right away whether these songs will be
\npopular or not."<\/p>\n
That is probably why his neighbors in Notoyudan often wonder
\nwhy they never hear him sing or rehearse at home.<\/p>\n
"Perhaps, only Bulan Purnama (Full Moon) is special, as I
\ncomposed it when I got married to a widow older than me. We were
\nvery intimate, just like two young lovers," he said, adding that
\nhe always sings this song during his stage performances.<\/p>\n
He usually waits 40 days between visits to a house. "The
\nschedule is not fixed, though. Sometimes I'm absent for over two
\nmonths from a particular place. Still, many people invite me
\naround for various occasions."<\/p>\n
The artist has never set official fees for his services. When
\nhe is invited to perform in another city, the party inviting him
\nmust cover all transportation and accommodation expenses.<\/p>\n
"Usually I get Rp 150,000 plus transportation fees," he said,
\nadding that he generally earned some Rp 60,000 on a regular day.<\/p>\n
Sujud lives in a small bamboo house with only simple furniture
\nin it. The only thing of any real monetary value is an old tape
\nrecorder.<\/p>\n
There are also several certificates of appreciation from
\nvarious government agencies and private institutions, including
\none from the Kua Etnika art group and a citation from Sultan
\nHamengku Buwono X.<\/p>\n
As an entertainer, Sujud is more concerned with how his work
\nis received rather than how much money he will make from it.<\/p>\n
"I earn money entertaining people in the streets. What's
\nimportant for me is my health. I don't care much about money.
\nHappiness does not depend on money alone. You are happy because
\nyou are appreciated. When I take a bus in Yogyakarta, I usually
\nget to ride for free. This is an expression of appreciation that
\nother people may not experience. This appreciation cannot be
\nmeasured in terms of money."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/street-singer-with-a-difference-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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