Child singer Tasya still acts her age
By Hera Diani
JAKARTA (JP): It seems that there is nothing really special about TV commercial star Tasya, who has now branched out into singing. Everybody must have a cousin or a niece or a daughter like her.
Yes, she is cute and pretty. Yes, she is smart and talkative. But she, just like Joshua, is not a prodigy or anak ajaib (wunderkind), or anything that people should make a really big fuss about but end up exploiting the kids as cash cows anyway.
As for eight-year-old Tasya, she was lucky enough to come along at the right time, when people have started to tire of seeing so-called child singers who act like adults. They may beslathered in makeup and all, but they can hardly sing, or even speak. Not to mention the unmelodious and meaningless songs they parrot.
So when Tasya came along with her debut album, Libur Telah Tiba (It's Holiday Time) -- in which she sings 14 classic children's songs written by A.T. Mahmud, including the title track and Anak Gembala (Shepherd) -- it was sort of a relief.
All those who grew up in the 1970s or 1980s in the country will be familiar with Mahmud's songs, which are simple and catchy but with a lot of moral messages.
As a singer, Tasya's voice might not have a vibrating quality or be able to reach high notes like child singer Sherina. But she sounds cute and her articulation is clear.
The good thing about Tasya is that she is not pretentious and she acts like a kid.
She was first known as a star of several TV commercials, most famously for Pepsodent toothpaste.
She drew people's attention with her adorable remarks and the "mischievous" things she did.
Tasya can also show maturity beyond her years -- and she sure knows how to handle compliments graciously.
"Tasya, you're so pretty," a reporter said to her at a music award ceremony at a South Jakarta cafe recently.
"Thank you," she replied politely, and there was no trace of shyness or pride in her voice and gestures.
The next minute, she was a child again as she told stories about her hobby, her collection, her favorite subject in school and her older sister.
"My sister is a tomboy. I don't know why, but she hates wearing skirts. She said it hampers her movements. She also likes to play the drums and guitar," she said without pausing.
Tasya, with straight waist-length hair, a long dress and accessories including several bracelets, is far from tomboyish.
"I love collecting bracelets. Let's see, I have 31 ... and (counting the ones she was wearing), 32, 33, 34 ... ah, I've got a lot," she said, laughing.
She also collects pencil cases but she complained she now had too many, as people always gave them to her as presents on her birthday.
"But I like to carry many things in my pencil case," she said.
Tasya said she liked singing, but she did not want to be a singer when she grows up.
"I don't want to. I want to be an architect because I love drawing. I also want to wear the jilbab (Muslim headdress) just like my mom. Yes, Insya Allah (God willing), I'll wear the jilbab someday."
She quickly shook her head when told that singers earn a lot of money.
"No, I don't know anything about money. I want to be an architect. I don't know about money," said the youngest of three children.
She added that her mom gave her pocket money of Rp 5,000 (60 U.S. cents) or Rp 10,000 a day.
"I spend it on stuff that I need, like fried rice or fried chicken," Tasya said.
As for subjects in school, the third grader at SD Al-Ikhlas elementary school in Cipete, South Jakarta, likes math and Indonesian language studies besides drawing, of course.
"I often get full marks," she said proudly.
She said shooting commercials and singing left her a little behind in school and out of the top 10 in her class.
"In a meeting some time ago, my teacher told my parents about that. That was when I had to cut school for four days to shoot the Pepsodent commercial in Malaysia."
Between shooting scenes, singing professionally and school, she is just a kid who loves to play.
"I love playing basketball. It's a piece of cake! But too bad, my parents think it's bothersome so we're not supposed to play it at home."
She also likes swimming in the pool at her house in Cilandak, South Jakarta.
She also plays with her older brother and sister, although she admitted that sometimes they fought.
"My brother is very annoying! He likes to pinch me, bite me or pull my hair," she said frowning.
Suddenly, a couple of foreigners sitting next to us in the cafe interrupted, asking her if she would have a picture taken with them. Tasya quickly nodded and struck a pose.
Her English is apparently quite good, or at least it's good for her age.
"My father taught me English so I understand it a little," she said, smiling.
Ah, with that cute smile one can only hope that she grows up to be a good person, still acts her age and does not become the typical self-conscious Indonesian celebrity.