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)