Independence Day makes merry with sound of dangdut

Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's 58th celebration of Independence Day is only two days away. Many neighborhood units or district offices have geared up to welcome the big day.

Besides staging a variety of competitions, from soccer to chess, karaoke to cooking, people are also busy booking local bands or singers for the celebration.

A singer of dangdut (popular music with Indian and Middle Eastern influences), Nurhayati, popularly called "Yati Amelia," 20, will be busy singing from one area to another from Aug. 18 through Aug. 22.

Yati, who started her career while in junior high school, said that she hoped to receive Rp 100,000 (US$11.63) to Rp 500,000 per show, depending on the contract, number of songs and the occasion.

The amount is far less than "drilling queen" Inul Daratista would expect to earn, as she reportedly receives at least Rp 50 million per show.

"I don't have any commitments on Aug. 17 but will perform in Serpong the next day. I'm not really sure about the rest of the schedule -- I have to check again with the band leader," said Yati, who won last year's first prize in a contest staged by Bens Radio.

"Being able to entertain and perform well in front of a crowd is a big source of satisfaction: Money is not a big deal. However, the amount of money that I receive depends on the contract; whether I sing with a backing band or solo," said the resident of Bintaro, Tangerang.

Yati claimed that she never promoted herself but many of her costumers did so through word-of-mouth recommendation.

Like Yati, Pak Niman, the leader of a dangdut band for the past two years, has also received requests to perform in Bintaro on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 for Independence Day.

"We have some contracts for the celebration in areas around our neighborhood. We are still negotiating with organizers from other areas like Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, and Serpong, Tangerang," he said.

Niman's band receives Rp 4 million to Rp 5 million per show, exclusive of sound system, stage or lighting. Should organizers request that equipment, they must add some Rp 3 million to the fee.

"The band members don't earn that much. Most of them are more concerned about giving their best performance on stage rather than payment. So far, none has complained about payment," he said.

After deducting singers' fees, sound system and lighting rental, the Rp 4 million performance fee is divided up equally between the nine members of the band, he said.

The band now has 24 members, including musicians, singers, security guards and road crew.

With entertainers like Niman and Yati concentrating more on performance, their audiences will enjoy celebrating the country's independence.