Iwan: Writer of young rebels' anthems

By Rita A. Widiadana

JAKARTA (JP): He is not a poet, but his lyrics are as sharp as a sword. He is not a political leader, but he has hundreds of thousands of faithful and fanatical devotees.

He is Iwan Fals, a rare phenomenon on the Indonesian music scene. Since he launched his first album Oemar Bakri in l981, he has captivated the hearts of the under-privileged.

Through his songs, Iwan, who is softly-spoken off stage, articulates their agony, frustration, and intangible dreams.

In hits like Bongkar he shows how authorities grab the rights of people to live in their modest housing and environment to make way for various development projects that benefit only a few.

Other songs like Potret, which describe the plight of the urban poor and Bento, condemning greed and corruption have become anthems of youngsters, students and activists.

Every time the idol performs, fans display banners bearing his name, carry his photograph and scream his name continuously,

To date, Iwan has been involved in the production of 16 albums, both as a solo performer and with groups such as Kantata Takwa and Swami. All have proved to be enormously successful, despite Iwan's lack of formal music training.

Born Virgiawan Listanto, 36, he is now happily married to Rosana. The couple had two children, Galang Rambu Anarki and Annisa Cikal Rambu Basae, but Galang died last year aged 17.

In a recent interview, Iwan shared his feelings, hopes and desires:

Question: How do you view the country's present condition?

Answer: We are now in the most awful social, economic and political chaos. People are getting poorer. We don't have enough food or enough jobs. The poor are suffering more. I am very concerned.

Q: As a musician, do you think you can make any real contribution to help the needy?

A: I don't have enough money or access to power to directly help them, a fact that makes me feel so desperate. I can only channel their feelings and voice their sadness through my music. I hope that my songs will open the minds and hearts of the more fortunate to help their needy brothers and sisters.

Q: But, with your popularity and your power to attract a large crowd, you could actually join a political party or join a social foundation if you want to channel their aspirations more effectively...

A: No, I can't. I am not interested in joining any political party or other moral movements although many people have asked me to do so. It would make me crazy. For the time being, I just want to concentrate on my music. There are so many ways of helping people. The government, politicians, business and philanthropists could lend their hands to ease people's burdens. I will do it in my own way, through my music.

Q: Do you realize that many people think you are a symbol of their never-ending struggle against injustice, with some even calling you their hero?

A: I am very delighted to hear that some of my songs appeal to these people but I am neither a hero nor a pop idol.

Q: People have always associated you with Bob Dylan because of your protest songs and your deep concern about social issues. Are you a Dylan fan?

A: I like Bob Dylan's songs but I refuse to be called his Indonesian duplicate. However it is the public's right to (do so). I know there are Indonesian versions of James Brown, Mick Jagger, or whatever.

It never crossed my mind that I should write a song like Dylan's or imitate someone else's works.

My songs only describe the common and simple lives of the majority of Indonesians, especially the destitute and the oppressed. They are victims of the despotic authorities who engineered policies that hurt them.

The ideas just came out so easily, like water flowing along a river. Everyday we read a lot of unhappy news in the media. We see children roaming around the streets, beggars, the demolition of houses for development projects, irregularities, corruption, and collusion conducted by people calling themselves well- educated and moralists.

In my songs I try to depict the grim reality of our society which has been "persecuted" for several decades.

When I write a song, I never think of stirring protests or provoking people against the bureaucracy or other parties. If my works have irritated some people, government officials for instance, it was not my intention to do so.

Q: Your performances, which usually attract large crowds, have been potential targets of the government bans. How do you cope with this problem?

A: In the past, we saw some performances curtailed by officials. This was actually a part of the demoralizing and dehumanizing process undertaken by the government to strictly control people's freedom of expression. But their abusive and repressive actions did not discourage me at all.

Q: In this "reform era", do you see any wind of change related to artistic freedom?

A: We ought to change and improve entire facects of our lives, including social, economic, political and cultural activities. Otherwise this current "reform" movement will lose ground and be useless.

Q: How about your July 6 show with Kantata Takwa in Jakarta that turned into quite a serious riot?

A: I really don't have any idea whether it was a spontaneous action or an engineered one. I would be very sad if it was masterminded by certain people for certain reasons. We just wanted to entertain and to share a little happiness with the troubled people.

In my opinion, the authorities did very little to provide security for either the performers or the audience. As yet, there have not been any fact-finding efforts to probe this case.

(Kantata Takwa's other member, Setiawan Djodi, mentioned in an interview with SCTV TV station recently that, based on a video recording, the group believes the riot was sparked by a group loyal to former president Soeharto)

Q: What are your plans for the near future?

A: On Aug. 19, l998 I am invited to perform in Japan. This will be my fourth performance in that country. I am glad that the Japanese public can appreciate Indonesian music. Personally, this invitation encourages me to work harder. It is my self- satisfaction if people like my music. It is a recognition of my work.

Japanese audiences have warmly welcomed Indonesian music, such as that performed by Elvy (dangdut queen Elvy Sukaesih), Hetty Koes Endang (singer of Portuguese-influenced music called keroncong). I play a different kind of music but I hope the Japanese audience will be able to learn that Indonesian music is rich and has diverse styles.

Q: What kind of music do you like most?

A: Many people call me a rock musician because I have often played with noted rockers like Ian Antono, Jocky Suprayogo and other members of Kantata Takwa. But my songs are actually well- suited to ballads.

Q: You have attained such huge popularity, how has it affected your personal life?

A: Every artist is very happy if people a simply accept their creations. At first, I really enjoyed being surrounded by the crowd. Hearing people screaming, dancing, laughing was amusing. But I don't want to be trapped in such a situation. It would destroy one's creativity and personal life.

Q: Will you stick to your music career?

A: For as long as I can.

Q: Your albums are selling very well, has music made your life more prosperous materially ?

A: It is God's blessing that He gives me this talent and I feel so grateful. Music has given me everything. But more importantly, music has made my life more joyful.

Something that still disturbs me is the condition of our present music industry which has created a lot of "entertainers" rather than real musicians. There must be efforts to restructure the industry.

Q: Does it mean the industry needs "total reform"?

A: Exactly. Currently, the business relationship between people from the industry and artists is very unhealthy. Producers, like other businesspeople, are mostly market-oriented and they often ignore aesthetical and musical qualities. Money is their first concern.

The artists have little choice but to allow these producers to take care of their business if they want to boost their careers.

In the early years of my career (in the l980s) I had to compromise my music with market demand as required by my producers. This was clearly reflected in my albums from Oemar Bakri to Mata Dewa. Later I became so tired of having myself tied to this market pressure.

At the start of the l990s , I decided to reduce my dependence on this pressure. I did not want to be dictated to either by the producers or the market demand. With Swami group, I created songs based on our own musical standards and our genuine feelings. The proof that people loved them is that the albums sold very well.

Unfortunately, many Indonesian artists do not have such opportunities. Many of them are unaware of their rights and their potential. Their lives are in the hands of the producers.

I don't want to make my music activities more complicated. For me, music is a means to reach a more composed and fulfilling life.