Don't Claim to be a Nationalist if You Don't Know the History of When the Indonesian Raya Song Was First Sung
YOGYAKARTA - Not many people know about when the first Indonesian Raya song was sung by Wage Rudolf Supratman. This moment is a major milestone for the independence movement of the Indonesian nation.
The event took place at the very legendary II Youth Congress. Through the touching violin friction, this song managed to ignite the spirit of unity of all young people from various parts of the archipelago at that time.
Summarized by VOI from the book "Wage Rudolf Supratman: The Creator of the Indonesian National Anthem Raya", here are some interesting facts about the Indonesian national anthem Raya that are rarely known:
The Sacred Moment at Kramat Building 106Towards Maghrib on October 28, 1928, the atmosphere in the IC Building (Indonesian Clubgebouw) seemed tense but full of enthusiasm. A young man seemed to walk quickly towards the back of the emperor while clutching a violin.
The young man was Wage Rudolf Supratman. He immediately met Sugondo Joyopuspito, Chairman of the Second Youth Congress, to discuss something very serious.
At 23.00 WIB, the moment that was awaited arrived. Supratman appeared in front of the stage, paid homage to the committee, and began to play his biolan with full appreciation.
At this moment is the moment when the song Indonesia Raya was first played in public at Kramat Building 106, Jakarta.
The violin music of W.R. Supratman was then followed by a choir from the Indonesian Students Association (PPPI) which made all congress participants stunned and enthusiastic.
The Dutch Intel that was left behind.There was a unique scene when the song was played. The Dutch PID (Politieke Inlichtingsdienst) or intelligence officers, who usually disperse meetings, seemed to be dumbfounded.
Between not quickly grasping the meaning of the song or maybe being touched, the presence of the PID officer was unable to hold back Supratman's tears of grief when he received a hug from the audience.
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From "Indonesia" to "Indonesia Raya"Did you know that originally this song was only titled "Indonesia"? The name "Indonesia Raya" was only added when Supratman published his song in November 1928. In fact, on the vinyl produced by the Amsterdam company in 1930, the title that was written was "Indonesia Rajah".
This song was not immediately sung with a complete band. The orchestral or complete band version was only performed at the second PNI Congress in May 1929. Since then, this song has become a mandatory opening menu in every meeting of the national movement organization.
Prohibition and Interrogation of the Word "Free"The Dutch East Indies government began to feel threatened. In 1930, they banned this song because it was considered to disturb public order. W.R. Supratman was even interrogated by the PID regarding the lyrics "free, free".
Supratman cleverly defended himself by saying that the original script read "noble, noble", and the word "free" was someone else's modification.
After a strong protest from various parties including the Volksraad, the song was finally allowed to be sung again in a closed room, but without the word "free".
The End of the Composer's Life in SurabayaSupratman's struggle ended in Surabaya. Even though his health was declining, he was still active in creating songs like Di Timur Matahari.
W.R. Supratman was arrested by the Dutch on August 7, 1938 because of the song Matahari Terbit which was considered pro-Japanese, but was released because he was not proven.
Wage Rudolf Supratman died on 17 August 1938, exactly seven years before the proclamation of independence. He was a humble figure who never dreamed of being a hero with a star of service; he just wanted to serve through tone.
Understanding the history of when the Indonesian National Anthem was first sung reminds us of the great sacrifice of W.R. Supratman. Let's continue to maintain the spirit of nationalism by understanding every lyric of the national anthem in everyday life.