Street singer with a difference

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Sujud Sutrisno is no ordinary wandering minstrel. Unlike other street singers, who are generally considered an annoyance, Sujud has become a crown favorite. Yogyakartans know him as a humble, friendly, humorous and creative street artist whose presence is very much awaited.

Sujud plays a solo kendang, a small drum covered with leather at each end, and sings in a unique voice. His songs are now available on cassette.

This debut album, called Kendang Tunggal (Solo Drum) and released by Blass Record Yogyakarta, features 23 songs recorded at Sujud's "live shows".

"I hope my album will sell well so I can earn more money. I don't know why somebody suddenly became interested in recording my songs," he said during the recent launch of the album.

"Even if this album flops, I will still thank God because somebody is documenting my work. If it sells well, I will thank God because it means I will earn more money," he said.

Sujud began roaming the city and singing in 1965 when he was 14 years old, and has since made a name for himself as a busker. He has never considered himself to be a street singer, though. He facetiously call himself a "household tax collector".

When wandering the city and singing, Sujud always wears tight pants with large pockets, like those found on the pants worn by mountaineers. Donning a traditional Yogyakarta surjan or a long- sleeved Javanese men's jacket, usually of woven, striped material, and a blangkon, or a men's Javanese headdress, he walks through small alleys from one village to another, and like the Pied Piper is followed by a pack of happy children.

When he stops at a house to sing, the owner will happily welcome him. His fans usually ask, in refined Javanese, "Why haven't you been here for so long?"

As a professional street musician, Sujud knows how to maintain a good relationship with people. Even when he gets a cool response and no money after singing a song, he still smiles.

Because he has performed in several major cities across the country, he does not only have admirers in Yogyakarta but also in cities in Sumatra. Many people who have fallen in love with his songs have invited him to sing at special events.

Sujud had a touching moment when he performed at an event organized by PT Astra Jakarta. After the performance, one of the company's executives approached him, saying, "Mas Sujud, I used to follow you around when I was a boy."

Sujud is well loved by almost the entire community, from small alleys to star-rated hotels, because of his politeness and the humor of his songs. His trademark is singing other people's songs but modifying the lyrics and tunes.

His repertoire includes popular children's songs as well as well-known adult pop, dangdut and folk songs.

For Sujud, changing these songs is a simple job. "I never set aside a special time to modify the songs. I just do it before I perform. So I find out right away whether these songs will be popular or not."

That is probably why his neighbors in Notoyudan often wonder why they never hear him sing or rehearse at home.

"Perhaps, only Bulan Purnama (Full Moon) is special, as I composed it when I got married to a widow older than me. We were very intimate, just like two young lovers," he said, adding that he always sings this song during his stage performances.

He usually waits 40 days between visits to a house. "The schedule is not fixed, though. Sometimes I'm absent for over two months from a particular place. Still, many people invite me around for various occasions."

The artist has never set official fees for his services. When he is invited to perform in another city, the party inviting him must cover all transportation and accommodation expenses.

"Usually I get Rp 150,000 plus transportation fees," he said, adding that he generally earned some Rp 60,000 on a regular day.

Sujud lives in a small bamboo house with only simple furniture in it. The only thing of any real monetary value is an old tape recorder.

There are also several certificates of appreciation from various government agencies and private institutions, including one from the Kua Etnika art group and a citation from Sultan Hamengku Buwono X.

As an entertainer, Sujud is more concerned with how his work is received rather than how much money he will make from it.

"I earn money entertaining people in the streets. What's important for me is my health. I don't care much about money. Happiness does not depend on money alone. You are happy because you are appreciated. When I take a bus in Yogyakarta, I usually get to ride for free. This is an expression of appreciation that other people may not experience. This appreciation cannot be measured in terms of money."