Chinese musicians present older-than-time tunes
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The harmonious sound of the traditional Chinese flute and erl hue playing soundtracks from the Judge Bao TV series made the social gathering held at a beach house in Pantai Mutiara estate, North Jakarta, unforgettable.
"Hao, hao (nice, nice)," said members of the over 100-person audience, praising the performance of the two visiting Chinese musicians on Sunday, who came to Indonesia to promote their culture's traditional music.
The flautist, Han Chan U, and erl hue player Lu Yen Wie, believed that the traditional Chinese music would be well received in Indonesia, not just because about 3 percent of its citizens are of Chinese descent, but because the music itself could bring peace into people's hearts and minds.
"This kind of music is like an oasis ... Descendants of all races should listen to this excellent music," Han said.
Han, who first started to learn how to play traditional Chinese musical instruments when he was 14, said that he was happy to see Indonesians enjoying the music.
"The people who came to see me playing liked the songs. They said it was relaxing," said the man who is now working at a Chinese restaurant in Gajah Mada Plaza, Central Jakarta, as a flautist.
Meanwhile Lu, whose father is a professor of traditional music, said that she was optimistic that people would be interested enough to learn how to play the instruments themselves.
"Many Indonesians, especially those who are of Chinese descent, do not know how to play these instruments. This is bad, considering that Chinese music has become popular around the world," said the woman who holds a bachelor degree in Chinese traditional music.
Han said that measures had to be taken to preserve and promote the music. He explained that in the People's Republic of China, the government obliged each child to master at least one traditional instrument so that they could maintain their connection with their cultural roots.
Andi Bintoro, the host of the social gathering, said that he felt honored to facilitate such a performance.
"This music has been around for hundreds of years. We should be proud that we can listen to these beautiful tones. Either we are Chinese or not -- we should preserve it," he said.
Andi attributed the opportunity to former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who he said opened the chance for Chinese cultural performances to be staged publicly all over the country after over three decades of oppression since a coup in 1965 partially blamed on the Chinese-Indonesians.
One audience member, Rosa, was pleasantly surprised by the performance of her ancestor's traditional music.
"I never heard traditional Chinese music before. Now, I feel a sense of peace and comfort because of the music," she said.
However, Han believes that merely appreciating the music is not enough.
"Indonesians of Chinese descent should promote this music through various media so that people become familiar with it," Han said, adding that the music's popularity could nurture a good relationship between China, the most populous country in the world, with Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country. (006)