Guruh brings in divas for 'Sripanggung'
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Eight Indonesian divas will grace the stage for a night of song and dance only for Jakartans in a presentation by Guruh Sukarno Putra together with Vocuz Entertainment.
On Oct 25, at the Plenary Hall in the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), star singers Krisdayanti, Titi DJ, Ruth Sahanaya, Reza, Vina Panduwinata, Cici Paramida, Nicky Astria, and singing group AB Three will perform in the two-hour presentation titled Sripanggung (Diva).
Staying true to his late father's tradition, Guruh took the term sripanggung from the English word diva.
"I never want to use foreign terms in my productions. I put all things Indonesian first in every thing I do," said the youngest son of RI founding father Soekarno and his second wife Fatmawati.
Guruh said the show was produced without a particular concept, aiming only to highlight the singing talents of homegrown divas and focusing on their individualistic singing styles.
"There are many excellent singers in Indonesia, but only a few have the style and flying hours it takes to make them a diva," he said at a media conference here.
Each of the divas will sing a combination of their hits as well as Guruh's songs. For instance, dangdut (local music with a strong Arab or Indian influence) singer Cici Paramida will sing her hit RT5/RW3, while Vina Panduwinata will perform Aku Makin Cinta (I'm More in Love), Reza will belt out Pertama (First), and Nicky Astria will sing her hit Jangan Ada Angkara (Let There Be No Anger). Music arrangements will be done by Erwin Gutawa.
"Each of the divas will perform in an atmosphere matching her voice and singing style, for example Titi DJ will combine singing and dancing," Guruh said. The Kinarya GSP -- Guruh's dance troupe -- will only appear as the backup dancers for the divas.
He explained that the absence of a general theme for this show did not mean that he had run out of ideas.
It was just part of the creative process, he explained, adding that sometimes people want to come out with a serious message, a theme, but other times they want to appear as they are.
"I just want to make a concert that is directed toward pop music, not traditional or ethnic music. This doesn't mean that I'm belittling myself," Guruh said.
As for the choice of singers, he said that they had all been chosen by him based on his personal view and criteria for a diva.
"I never thought of myself as diva, so I am honored that Mas Guruh considers me one," said lady rocker Nicky Astria.
Sripanggung will premier on Oct. 25 at 8:00 p.m. at Plenary Hall, Jakarta Convention Center. Tickets cost Rp 95,000 for festival seating, Rp 125,000 for second class, Rp 195,000 for first class, Rp 295,000 for VIP seating, Rp 395,000 for VVIP back and Rp 495,000 for VVIP front seating. Tickets can be purchased from Vocuz Entertainment (021-7988039, 7975837), Ibu Dibyo (021- 331178), Aquarius Mahakam (021-7208413), Duta Suara Sabang (021- 3101008) and En's Entertainment (021-7229535, 7257241).