Singer Katon takes center stage -- as poet

JAKARTA (JP): The lyrics of Katon Bagaskara's songs are poetic, but can his lyrics really be called poems?

Katon had prepared himself for the question at the launch of his new book Bulan Dibuai Awan. Puisi-puisi pilihan Katon Bagaskara on Thursday at Bentara Budaya Jakarta.

"Poems are any expression of feelings through words. Thus, I can call my lyrics poems," he said.

"I don't claim to be as great as Chairil Anwar, Subagio Sastrowardoyo or Sapardi Djoko Damono, nor do I want to compete with the poets. I am in the first place a pop musician who has loved reading poems since childhood and loves making poetic lyrics for my songs," he claimed.

The book, published by PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, contains 22 poems, including 21 lyrics of his hits like Yogyakarta and Negeri di Awan. The poems are mainly about love.

The hard-cover, full-color book looks like a piece of art itself. Each poem is written in different letters on different page design. Each page is filled with sketches and illustrations, made by graphic artist Dimas Djayadiningrat. Katon's photograph was taken by photographer Firdaus Fadlul. No wonder the price is high, Rp 23,000 (US$10) a copy.

Gramedia has printed 7,000 copies. Seeing he has a large number of fans, Katon is optimistic that his book will sell well. His last album alone Negeri di Awan sold 450,000 copies.

If Katon's poetry book sells well, it will be a good lesson for all the poets in this country, who have never succeeded in selling their books. Sing the poems first in pop songs, then compile the lyrics. (jsk)