Yogyakarta blind band wins recognition

Yogyakarta blind band wins recognition

Gigin Kurniawan, Contributor, Yogyakarta

Irama Tanmirsa is an unusual music group from the "city of
culture", Yogyakarta: All the musicians are blind. Although it
has yet to become as famous as pop band Sheila On 7 from the same
city, Irama Tanmirsa is now something to be reckoned with.

Irama Tanmirsa (Rhythm of The Blind) is the only group of
blind musicians in Central Java. Their studio is located in a
massage parlor on Gg. Nakulo No. 22, Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta.

The blind musicians that make up the band are talented and
highly motivated despite their physical handicap and lack of
musical instruments, which have been stolen from them at times.

"Recently, we lost our electronic bass guitar," said Sartono,
36, the band's frontman.

Irama Tanmirsa was founded in 1994 as Ceria Nada (Cheerful
Melody) that played mostly traditional keroncong music. As
keroncong draws only a small loyal audience, however, they
switched to karawitan, or traditional Javanese music, and have
devoted to this genre for the past few years.

Originally, the band was started as a hobby and as a means of
socialization. The members began by buying their own musical
instruments, including a set of gamelan, each bearing an equal
share of the cost. All are skilled at playing musical
instruments, particularly the guitar.

"It so happens that most blind people can play music," said
Sartono, who founded the band.

All members are alumnae of Panti Bina Netra, an institution
that provides vocational training for the blind. They met each
other through the Indonesian Association of Blind People
(Pertuni), or during arisan, a regular social gathering in which
the members take turns to collect donations.

Twenty-four people registered for the band, most of whom were
masseurs and had a basic knowledge of how to play music. Ceria
Nada was born.

The group rehearsed at the end of every month without any
outside help, and responsibilities were divided among the member
musicians.

For example, Suprihatin, who runs a massage parlor in
Kotagede, taught the others basic singing skills, while Slamet
Riyadi, a masseur in Jogokaryan, took care of musical
instruments. The electric piano was handled by Agus Putranto, who
had studied at a foreign language academy.

Sometimes, they needed the help of non-blind outsiders to
prepare the musical instruments for their rehearsals.

"Without their help, we would be in big trouble," said
Sartono.

In time, Ceria Nada received invitations to perform on the
radio or at the local TV station, TVRI Yogyakarta. However, this
keroncong group did not last long. As requests for performances
were low, they realized that keroncong was not financially
viable, so they gave up Ceria Nada.

The musicians did not give up, though. Instead, they switched
their aspirations to karawitan and the band was renamed Irama
Tanmirsa. "Karawitan music is more popular than keroncong," said
Agus, 23, one of the band members.

At first, they performed only at private parties held by
members, but soon became better-known after appearing regularly
on a private radio station and taking part in the Yogyakarta Arts
Festival. Since then, they have often appeared in ceremonies and
formal parties, such as independence day celebrations, said
Sartono.

Irama Tanmirsa charges Rp 700,000 for performing in
Yogyakarta, and Rp 1 million for performances outside of the
city, inclusive of costumes and their own gamelan set,

With such fees they will come in full form and bring their
gamelan set. They will charge more if they have to prepare the
sound system or hire additional singers.