Bersuka Ria: A Song By President Soekarno With Lenso Rhymes

JAKARTA - President Soekarno's charisma is second to none. His daily actions often invite admiration. Especially when he's on the dance floor. Many of the women waited for their turn to dance with him. However, Bung Karno was never interested in dancing. Even with western music too.

He is a big fan of the lenso dance. A traditional social dance from Ambon, Maluku. The dance is a lesson for diplomacy. His love for lenso is growing. He even wrote his own lenso rhythmic song. Entitled Bersuka Cita (en-rejoice).

Bung Karno is a true lenso dance lover. Whatever the enduring friendly event, the lenso dance is the lesson. In fact, the dance was often played by Bung Karno every time he welcomed state guests. The Great Man swiftly asked the band accompanying the event to play a lenso rhythmic song. As usual, Bung Karno stepped onto the dance floor. He also invited female guests in turn to join the fun. Like bewitched, all the audience - officials and state guests moreover - followed Bung Karno's steps. Everyone rejoices in the rhythm of the lenso.

President Soekarno and his daughter, Megawati Soekarnoputri, are dancing. (Wikimedia Commons)

The lenso dance was also introduced by Bung Karno as a diplomatic tool. When traveling abroad, for example. State dishes of other countries are not enjoyed by him. He is not moved by western dance. Bung Karno also asked for permission for the band he brought to play cha-cha music as an invitation to wear lenses.

These efforts have yielded good results. It is said that the closeness between Indonesia and friendly countries can be achieved from having fun lenses. Bung Karno's pleasure in lenso is often remembered by other world leaders. Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, for example.

He made a little surprise for President Soekarno who visited his country. Lenso dance was also dedicated to the Son of the Dawn. A sign of respect, he thought. Bung Karno then felt flattered. He is so happy.

“In the Philippines in 1964, President Diosdado Macapagal greeted me at the airport. He escorted me to Laurels Mansion where I was staying. There lived Mr. Laurels the former President of the Philippines, his wife, and grandchildren. To further enliven my arrival they brought in the Bayanihan Cultural Ensemble, a choir association, which welcomed me with the Lenso Dance as a sign of respect.”

“Two young women appeared from the ensemble and asked me to dance with them. It was hard to resist, that's why I started dancing and BANG! Flash! Camera snap! And masterpiece: See Sukarno, the pursuit of love, starts again. I like attractive girls around me because these girls to me are like flowers that are blooming and I like to look at flowers," said Soekarno as written by Cindy Adams in the book Bung Karno: Penyambung Lidah Rakyat Indonesia (2014).

Create a Song

President Soekarno's preference for lenso became rampant. Instead of just enjoying the beat of the lenso on the dance floor. He also wants to popularize lenso in Indonesia. Later, Soekarno invited famous Indonesian musicians Bing Slamet and Jack Lesmana to the Palace. The goal is to explore the rhythm of the lenso so that it can be enjoyed widely.

Bung Karno also took part. He composed a song. Entitled Bersuka Ria. The song that was predicted to be the only song written by Bung Karno was later sung by Rita Zahareah, Nien Lesmana, Titiek Puspa, and Bing Slamet. His accompaniment was no less flashy. There is the Rhythm Orchestra led by Jack Lesmana.

The song Bersuka ria then appeared on a compilation album titled Mari Bersuka Ria dengan Irama Lenso. The album was officially released on April 14, 1965. Bung Karno was very happy. He expressed approval of the release of the album. He even affixed a printed signature dated April 14, 1965, on the back of the album.

The lyrics of the song from President Soekarno were able to provoke enthusiasm with lenso. Even though the lyrics are not as jarring as the rhetoric. Bung Karno created Bersuka Ria by giving a lot of happy and optimistic tones. The narration can be seen from the lyric: Siapa bilang bapak dari Blitar/Bapak kita dari Prambanan/Siapa bilang rakyat kita lapar/ Indonesia banyak makanan.

“The beat can be heard clearly through the latest recording from the Irama orchestra led by Jack Lesmana with famous singers such as: Titiek Puspa, Nien, Rita Zaharah, and Bing Slamet. By demonstrating a new work from Bung Karno which can be said to be excavations/creations of Bung Karno in the form of a song entitled Bersuka Ria."

“The song can be heard clearly how the desired beat is. An original Indonesian beat that can regularly accompany the New Style Lenso Dance, which should be expanded, so that it can be danced by all levels of society," concluded the description on the back of the album Mari Bersuka Ria dengan Irama Lenso.