Folk songs revive many ald memories

Folk songs revive many ald memories

JAKARTA (JP): For scores of people, folk songs bring back many
memories about their childhood or first loves. The people
interviewed here share with us their favorite folk songs and
their stories behind those songs:

Titus Sarijanto, 57, former director general of forest
utilization at the Ministry of Forestry : My favorite song is
Bengawan Solo (about the river in Solo by Gesang). I like that
song not only because I am Javanese but because it has a
beautiful melody which makes me feel at peace and relaxed when I
am tired and depressed.

There is no romantic story attached to this song. I just like
it because the song reminds me of Solo River, its water and
bridges ...

Like most Javanese, I like keroncong music but Bengawan Solo
is also my favorite because it is the only keroncong song I can
sing. Most pop songs do not have touching melodies and lyrics. I
think that's why those songs don't last long.

Nain, 72, a native Jakartan (Betawi) in Ujung Aspal, Bekasi:
My favorite song is Yok Kita Nonton Ondel-ondel (Let's Watch
Giant Puppets). The song reminds me of the time when I was a
young boy. At that time ondel-ondel was a very popular show for
Jakartans. I always watched every time they played in nearby
kampongs. I even met my first wife when we watched that show.

It's a pity my favorite song is hardly played anymore, either
on radio or television programs.

Bungaran Saragih, 53, a noted agricultural analyst of the
Bogor Agriculture Institute : My favorite folk song is O Tano
Batak (Oh.. Batak Land) because it reminds me of my birthplace in
North Sumatra. The song tells us about someone who has traveled
all over the world but still remembers his homeland.

Most Batak folk songs, such as O Tano Batak, Butet and Lissoi
encourage me to do more for my homeland, not only for North
Sumatra but also for Indonesia.

We should preserve Indonesian folk songs for the coming years
or maybe in the coming century because their melodies and lyrics
can touch your heart. Most modern songs are nice to hear but they
cannot touch your heart.

I think we should follow American people who seem to have
successfully maintained their folk songs despite the onslaught of
modern music, such as rock, heavy metal, jazz and others. For
example, John Denver's song Take Me Home, Country Roads, is still
a favorite song for Americans, although the song was popular in
the early 1970's and the singer has already died.

Agustinus Gusti Nugroho or Nugie, 27, male pop singer:

The folk song which has made the deepest impression on me is
the Javanese children's game song Cublak-Cublak Suweng.

It isn't only a (guessing) game song, dolanan, but it means
that one should not judge a person by his appearance.

The tune is the same as that sung during the game when a child
bends down on his hands and knees and guesses what items are
being tapped on his back.

The child who is bending should not be tricked by his friends'
gesturing so that he says the wrong answers. I remember how I
used to play that game with my brothers and sisters.

As far as I know there has never been such a song composed in
recent years. Actually I miss such songs, maybe it should be
something which everyone could sing, not just a certain ethnic
group.

Alfred Simanjuntak, composer (for example, of the well-known
march Bangun Pemudi Pemuda, Rise Young Men and Women):

My favorite folk song is Dengke from Toba in North Sumatra,
which describes a melancholic condition of someone who is
alone... O ikan, kau bersembunyi di tumbuhan laut/Hai kekasihku,
kau ungkit penderitaan hatiku/Aku menangis sendirian dan tak ada
teman di samping... (O fish, you hide behind sea plants/My
lover, you invoke my sadness/I cry alone with no friend beside
me...)

The song is so romantic, like other Batak folk songs, in its
rhythm and flow. The lyrics, which are the hope that one's lover
will come, are suitable to reveal the feelings of longing and
anyone who hears it is moved to pity.

It reminds me of the sad moments of my love story... On many
occasions I still sing the song.

The characteristics of Batak songs reveal the community
itself: they have a tough personality but they are romantic in
the expression of their soul and arts. Maybe it's related to the
hardship in their homeland.

Batak folk songs developed during the 1940s Japanese
occupation, at the time when European songs were no longer
popular since the Dutch had left the country. During that time
local composers emerged.

Newly released Batak songs still show the folk song
characteristics in which low tones are dominant so they can be
sung together. And Batak folk songs are still being composed
today.

Amiruddin Saud, chairman of the Association of Indonesian
Importers: I like all kinds of songs, as long as they have
beautiful melodies. I like many folk songs and I also like many
modern songs.

I don't have any memories which could be rekindled by hearing
a song. For me a song is just a song, there is nothing special
about it. Songs are useful when they can cheer you up or make you
relax. (team)