Why you hear this Indonesian song everywhere | Bengawan Solo

Summary

The script explores the enduring legacy of 'Bengawan Solo,' a song composed by Gesang Martohartono in 1940, reflecting Indonesia's struggle for independence amidst Dutch and Japanese colonization. The song's universal themes of nostalgia and homeland resonated across Asia, leading to multiple translations and adaptations, embodying the spirit of Pan-Asian identity and cultural diversity. Despite its origins in a time of oppression, 'Bengawan Solo' has become a symbol of collective memory and national pride, transcending its era to inspire future generations.

Takeaways

• 🌏 'Bengawan Solo' is a song that has transcended national boundaries, being popular across multiple Asian countries and languages.
• 🎵 The song was written and composed by Gesang Martohartono, an Indonesian musician from Surakarta, in 1940.
• 📚 The song was composed during a time of significant historical change, just before the Japanese invasion of Indonesia from 1942 to 1945.
• 🏰 Indonesia's history is marked by colonization, with the Dutch being the most dominant, initially through the Dutch East India Company and later through the Dutch government.
• 🎶 Kroncong music, which includes 'Bengawan Solo', was influenced by Portuguese sentimental songs and later mixed with other cultural elements, embodying Indonesia's 'unity in diversity'.
• 🌐 The Japanese encouraged 'Asian art for Asians', promoting cultural policies that included the spread of Japanese influence through approved literature and art.
• 🎤 'Bengawan Solo' gained popularity in Indonesia through Japanese-run radio stations, reflecting a collective identity and proto-nationalism.
• 🌊 The song's lyrics and melody evoke a sense of nostalgia and a universal longing for an imagined homeland, resonating with audiences across Asia.
• 🌐 After World War II, 'Bengawan Solo' was brought to Japan by returning soldiers and became a symbol of Japanese colonial nostalgia.
• 🏆 The song's international success led to legal battles over copyright, with the original composer, Gesang Martohartono, winning royalties from Japanese musicians.
• 🌳 'Bengawan Solo' continues to be celebrated and covered in various countries, reflecting its enduring legacy and the shared experiences of colonialism and the struggle for independence.

Q & A

What is the song 'Bengawan Solo' and why is it significant in Asia?

Bengawan Solo is a song written and composed by Gesang Martohartono, an Indonesian musician. It is significant in Asia because it has been exported to multiple Asian countries and languages, reflecting a shared cultural heritage and resonating with a sense of nostalgia and homeland across different Asian nations.

Who is Gesang Martohartono and when did he compose 'Bengawan Solo'?

Gesang Martohartono was an Indonesian musician born in Surakarta on October 1st, 1917. He composed the song 'Bengawan Solo' in 1940, just before the Japanese invasion of Indonesia.

What is the historical context of Indonesia during the creation of 'Bengawan Solo'?

The historical context of Indonesia during the creation of 'Bengawan Solo' was one of colonization, exploitation, and oppression, primarily by the Dutch. The Dutch East India Company initially exploited the region, and later the Dutch government formally took control, naming it Netherlands East Indies. The song was composed just before World War II, during which Japan seized control of the colony.

What is the meaning of 'Bengawan Solo' and how does it relate to the concept of 'tanah air'?

'Bengawan Solo' is a sentimental and poignant poem to the Solo River in Java. The term 'tanah air', which translates to 'soil and water', represents an all-encompassing homeland. The song, through its imagery and melody, evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing for this homeland.

How did Japan's cultural policies during its occupation of Indonesia influence the spread of 'Bengawan Solo'?

Japan's cultural policies, which emphasized a 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere' and 'Asian art for Asians', encouraged art and music that reflected this vision. This policy inadvertently provided a space for Indonesian artists to express a sense of proto-nationalism and yearning for independence, which 'Bengawan Solo' came to embody.

In what ways did 'Bengawan Solo' gain popularity in Japan and how did its interpretation change?

After the song was transcribed by musician Ichirou Fujiyama and brought back to Japan, it was commercialized and became popular among Japanese veterans. The song was remembered through a lens of militaristic and imperial sentimentality, rather than its original message of homeland nostalgia.

How did the song 'Bengawan Solo' become a symbol of resistance and national identity in Indonesia?

The song became a symbol of resistance and national identity as it was embraced by the Indonesian people during a time of political movements and the struggle for independence. It was promoted by President Sukarno and broadcasted on national radio, becoming a unifying anthem that represented the collective identity and aspirations of the Indonesian people.

What role did the style of music 'Kroncong' play in the composition of 'Bengawan Solo'?

Kroncong is a style of music that mixed Portuguese and Indonesian elements, and also interacted with Arabic and Chinese culture. 'Bengawan Solo' was originally written in the Kroncong style, embodying Indonesia's national message of 'unity in diversity' and encapsulating the budding nation's pluralism.

How did 'Bengawan Solo' become popular in other Asian countries and what were the common themes in its various translations?

The song's popularity in other Asian countries was due to its history, reach into the Pan-Asian identity, and its soothing melody. In many translations, the lyrics turned 'Bengawan Solo' into a romantic love song or a nostalgic tune, sparking a feeling of an imagined heyday of a time that came before.

What is the legacy of 'Bengawan Solo' and why is it still celebrated today?

The legacy of 'Bengawan Solo' lies in its role as a symbol of Indonesia's struggle with colonial independence and its representation of the Pan-Asian zeitgeist post-World War II. Its rustic melody and iconic status resonate with listeners, and it continues to be celebrated for its enduring message of unity and cultural identity.

How did the song 'Bengawan Solo' become a subject of copyright disputes and what was the outcome?

The song became a subject of copyright disputes when many Japanese musicians and versions of the song did not pay royalties. Indonesian lawyers sued for intellectual property breaches, and Gesang Martohartono won, resulting in him becoming far wealthier than before.