`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