`Dangdut' continues to change with the times
`Dangdut' continues to change with the times
The onomatopoeic name is most likely derived from the sound of
Indian tabla and other instruments going "dang dang, dut dut,
dang dut, dang dut". But unlike its simple name, the music has
taken a relatively complex evolutionary journey.
The bongo drums, flute and tambourine driving the beat may be
drawn from the Indian subcontinent and other places, including
Portugal, Spain and the Middle East, but it is now distinctly
Indonesian.
Throughout its history local artists concocted their fusions
and cross-overs to make what we know now as dangdut or Malay
rhythm.
"It (dangdut) was originally very Indian because if we speak
about our culture here then we speak about the Indian Hinduism
influence in our ancient culture," musician Djaduk Ferianto told
The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
As a syncretic ensemble, dangdut also braced gambus (Middle-
East-music beats), Arab pop and Portuguese folk music in its
development, he said.
It earned so much popularity here in the 1970's with singer
Ellya Kadam as the star. This is when the recording industry
first hit the country. In the mid 1970's, Rhoma Irama introduced
a rock influence to the music.
"His first recordings are very much inspired by Deep Purple
although in his stage performance and films, Rhoma shows his
resistance towards western pop and rock music," Djaduk said.
The next period is when pop music was married with dangdut. It
was the era of Camelia Malik (at that time collaborating with her
ex-husband, music arranger Reynold Pangabean).
Unlike in the past, it is accepted not only by the low-class
but all classes of society. It once could only be heard in the
slums, narrow alleys or public stages where people paid a small
entry fee to watch, or at roadside kiosks or from speakers
blaring inside speeding public minivans.
Dangdut has now invaded the television industry (including
breaking through onto MTV) and its beats pump from karaoke bars
and discos.
"It's used to be considered a low-class kind of music because
it's down-to-earth. Problems sung about in dangdut are daily
matters .... But it's not all about misery," Djaduk said.
He makes a point as once a crowd hears the "dang dang, dut
dut, dang dut, dang dut," people break out in spontaneous dance,
ecstatic smiles written on their faces.
-- The Jakarta Post