Yogyakarta blind band wins recognition<\/p>\n
Gigin Kurniawan, Contributor, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Irama Tanmirsa is an unusual music group from the "city of
\nculture", Yogyakarta: All the musicians are blind. Although it
\nhas yet to become as famous as pop band Sheila On 7 from the same
\ncity, Irama Tanmirsa is now something to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n
Irama Tanmirsa (Rhythm of The Blind) is the only group of
\nblind musicians in Central Java. Their studio is located in a
\nmassage parlor on Gg. Nakulo No. 22, Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The blind musicians that make up the band are talented and
\nhighly motivated despite their physical handicap and lack of
\nmusical instruments, which have been stolen from them at times.<\/p>\n
"Recently, we lost our electronic bass guitar," said Sartono,
\n36, the band's frontman.<\/p>\n
Irama Tanmirsa was founded in 1994 as Ceria Nada (Cheerful
\nMelody) that played mostly traditional keroncong music. As
\nkeroncong draws only a small loyal audience, however, they
\nswitched to karawitan, or traditional Javanese music, and have
\ndevoted to this genre for the past few years.<\/p>\n
Originally, the band was started as a hobby and as a means of
\nsocialization. The members began by buying their own musical
\ninstruments, including a set of gamelan, each bearing an equal
\nshare of the cost. All are skilled at playing musical
\ninstruments, particularly the guitar.<\/p>\n
"It so happens that most blind people can play music," said
\nSartono, who founded the band.<\/p>\n
All members are alumnae of Panti Bina Netra, an institution
\nthat provides vocational training for the blind. They met each
\nother through the Indonesian Association of Blind People
\n(Pertuni), or during arisan, a regular social gathering in which
\nthe members take turns to collect donations.<\/p>\n
Twenty-four people registered for the band, most of whom were
\nmasseurs and had a basic knowledge of how to play music. Ceria
\nNada was born.<\/p>\n
The group rehearsed at the end of every month without any
\noutside help, and responsibilities were divided among the member
\nmusicians.<\/p>\n
For example, Suprihatin, who runs a massage parlor in
\nKotagede, taught the others basic singing skills, while Slamet
\nRiyadi, a masseur in Jogokaryan, took care of musical
\ninstruments. The electric piano was handled by Agus Putranto, who
\nhad studied at a foreign language academy.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, they needed the help of non-blind outsiders to
\nprepare the musical instruments for their rehearsals.<\/p>\n
"Without their help, we would be in big trouble," said
\nSartono.<\/p>\n
In time, Ceria Nada received invitations to perform on the
\nradio or at the local TV station, TVRI Yogyakarta. However, this
\nkeroncong group did not last long. As requests for performances
\nwere low, they realized that keroncong was not financially
\nviable, so they gave up Ceria Nada.<\/p>\n
The musicians did not give up, though. Instead, they switched
\ntheir aspirations to karawitan and the band was renamed Irama
\nTanmirsa. "Karawitan music is more popular than keroncong," said
\nAgus, 23, one of the band members.<\/p>\n
At first, they performed only at private parties held by
\nmembers, but soon became better-known after appearing regularly
\non a private radio station and taking part in the Yogyakarta Arts
\nFestival. Since then, they have often appeared in ceremonies and
\nformal parties, such as independence day celebrations, said
\nSartono.<\/p>\n
Irama Tanmirsa charges Rp 700,000 for performing in
\nYogyakarta, and Rp 1 million for performances outside of the
\ncity, inclusive of costumes and their own gamelan set,<\/p>\n
With such fees they will come in full form and bring their
\ngamelan set. They will charge more if they have to prepare the
\nsound system or hire additional singers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/yogyakarta-blind-band-wins-recognition-1447893297",
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