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)