Worlds Apart
#5: indonesian dangdut
Indonesia has been experiencing a cultural renaissance since the fall of its corrupt anti-communist dictator Suharto, 1967-1998. Now, under the democratic Consultative Assembly, voices are emerging radiant with new-found artistic freedom, some taking liberties that have startled the conservative majority.
However, instead of forgetting the regime, this burst of energy has brought new life to the popular music of the provincial lower classes, Dangdut, which originated around the time Suharto came into power. It all began among the fervent Muslim youth of the smaller towns who combined Arabian, Indian and Malaysian folk influences with western rock and reggae-like rhythms, and then added lyrics resentful of their country’s inequalities and financial crises.
This colourful combo became a working- class addiction, so much so that politicians can’t resist putting on Dangdut concerts to try to win their hearts. The name comes from the dangdang- dut-dut sound of the Indian tabla drums which, along with the bamboo flute and the electric guitar, are pretty essential to Dangdut’s sound. Sensuality has been an important part of the vibe since the 70s Queen of Dangdut, Elvy Sukaesih’s hit Penyanyi Sexy.
Her seductive voice thrills magnificently around the microtones intermingled with little horny whimpers. And yet many were scandalised when the village singer Inul Daratista, whose stage name means ‘the girl with the breasts’, won fame with her gyrating dance on national TV in 2003; some called it pornography, others freedom of expression.
She became a national idol before she had released a single album thanks to 3 million pirated videos! Inul may have helped to revive interest, but sex is not the only exciting element of today’s Dangdut. Sharing Inul’s lime-light is the rich mournful voice of Iis Dahlia, while Alam, the Indonesian King of Metal, has been bringing out the angry aspect of the genre, and there’s talk of jazz Dangdut at the 2006 Java Festival.
Project Pop, an insanely comic band, incorporated Dangdut into their latest album PopOk with the hit Dangdut is the Music of My Country which aims to remind Indonesia that in spite of all itsethnic and social clashes, they all have Dangdut in common.
The track, sung in Bahasa Indonesian, starts off with rock metal mobs meeting up for a brawl and yelling verbal abuse, and then, with the great transition “Apakah yang dapatmenyatukan kita?” (‘What will bring us together?’), the song loosens up to Dangdut and they all gyrate away… Where to find it? Probably not in most record stores, but I would recommend www.farsidemusic.com.
Radio Sumatra FM released a compilation of Indonesian music this year which features Project Pop’s great track. Otherwise, keep your ears peeled for a commercial rise, or plan yourself a round-the-world trip!
10th Nov 2005