Street singer with a difference
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."