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.