Governor meets artists

Governor meets artists

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja attended a meeting
with old artists at the Acacia hotel in Central Jakarta on Friday
night. The meeting was organized by the city's cultural office
and the Army's artist union.

Some 'old-crack' artists present were Onny Suryono, jazz
musician Bill Saragih, and Ellya Kadam (famous for her song
Boneka dari India (The Doll from India) and Keroncong singer Bram
Titaley.

Younger artists present included singer and noted master of
ceremony Koes Hendratmo, television star Ida Leman, and singer
Ida Royani.

Some local comedians including Doyok, Timbul Srimulat, Us Us
D'Bodor entertained people at the meeting.

"Artists played an important role in building the nation, such
as the national anthem creator WR Supratman, Ismail Marzuki,
Chairil Anwar and so on," Surjadi said.

He said such meetings might improve brotherhood between old
artists.

The governor donated Rp 25 million (US$10,729) to the union
who will then give Rp 500,000 each to some 50 old artists to help
pay health expenses. (jun)