The spirit of music
The spirit of music
National Music Day passed quietly on Wednesday. Even the current
fervor of warped nationalism could not save national anthem
composer W.R. Supratman's anniversary -- designated in 2003 by
President Megawati Soekarnoputri as a national day of
commemoration -- from insignificance.
This national day passed off the same way Supratman passed
away in 1937 -- in muted obscurity.
There were no televised events during National Music Day. No
special commemorations. Neither were any sought. At best, a few
radio shows made passing references to the event, but the news of
the day continued to be dominated by absurd warmongering and
protests over the fuel price hikes.
Many more tangible, life threatening issues require people's
attention rather than worthless chatter over music.
Yet without music, how empty our lives would be. Music and art
are integral parts of our very existence. They are as staple as
rice, as uplifting as the morning sun and as comforting as an
evening prayer.
What would "downtime" be without either a tune, a cold drink
or a good book.
From the first year of elementary school, the songs of
nationhood and independence ring permanently in every
Indonesian's ear. We may temporarily forget them, the tunes
replaced by the latest Top 10 pop hits, but the significance of
Indonesia Raya (Indonesia the Great), Maju Tak Gentar (Fearlessly
Onward), Padamu Negeri (For My Country), to name a few, resonate
down the generations.
Still, most of us confuse who wrote what, the names of their
composers are as familiar as distant cousins -- Supratman, Cornel
Simanjuntak, Ismail Marzuki, Ibu Sud, and Kusbini.
Their generation of composers helped define the nation's
identity. Their successors, the likes of Pak and Ibu Kasur and
A.T. Mahmud, helped shape young Indonesians with nursery rhymes
that taught universal values but with a distinctly local flavor
-- such as Naik Delman (Riding a Horse Carriage), Aku Anak
Gembala (I'm a Little Shepherd), and Becak (Trishaw).
Their creations subtly molded us into being Indonesian. They
will do the same with our children. The song remains the same
from grandfather to grandchild.
The purity and beauty of these songs comes from the honesty
out of which they were created. Their composers weren't thinking
of gold discs or hit singles.
The importance of song is comparable to that of literature.
These creations are mirrors of their times, and resonate with
what we should be. The best songs, whether a simple nursery rhyme
or a complex aria, are instruments of eternal truth because they
play the chords of our mortal souls.
That is why in times of political oppression the writer and
composer usually find themselves in the same jail cell as the
politician.
Today, Indonesian composers and musicians face new dilemmas.
Many have been handsomely rewarded for bringing melody to
everyday life and reaped the rewards of market success. Several
have gone on to proudly represent our country abroad as
ambassadors of culture. Most, however, have had to reconcile
their art to commercial reality. Others are simply in the
business because it is a fast track to fame and fortune.
As one musician lamented: "One likes to believe in the freedom
of music. But glittering prizes and endless compromises shatter
the illusion of integrity".
Therein lies the significance of National Music Day. To remind
us that while music in essence is entertainment, it can still
provide "value" beyond the simple sequence of notes.
It's also that one brief time in our life that we might ponder
for a moment the contribution our noted composers have given to
us. The song and struggle are ended, but their melody and spirit
linger on.