History Of The Garuda Pancasila Song And Symbol

Garuda Pancasila (Photo: Pinterest)

JAKARTA - June 1 is celebrated as the Birthday of Pancasila. As the basis of the Indonesian state, Pancasila has the symbol and national anthem 'Garuda Pancasila' which accompanies it.

The Garuda Pancasila song written by Sudharnoto was used and designated as the national anthem. Sudharnoto is an artist of the People's Culture Institute (Lekra). He once filled the broadcast of RRI Solo with an orchestra led by Maladi called the Young Indonesian Hawaiian Orchestra.

In 1952, Sudharnoto became the head of the music section at RRI Jakarta and became a performer at the Hammond Organ Sudharnoto. In addition, Sudharnoto also founded Ensemble Gembira, a group of Palace singers, along with a number of artists such as Bintang Suradi and Titi Soebronto K. Atmojo. He composed the song Garuda Pancasila with the lyrics of the struggle and loyalty of the Indonesian people to Pancasila as the state ideology and philosophy.

Unfortunately, after the 1965 tragedy, all Lekra members were hunted, arrested, detained, and killed without going through a trial process. Sudharnoto did not escape the incident. He was dismissed from RRI and was also sent to the Salemba Detention Center.

Meanwhile, the Garuda Pancasila symbol was created through the process of a national emblem competition. At that time, the draft under consideration came from two politicians, Moh. Yamin and Sultan Hamid II.

Finally, the design of Sultan Hamid II in the form of Rajawali Garuda Pancasila became an option. On the basis of President Soekarno, the design was refined to become the symbol of the state of Indonesia.

On February 11, 1950, the Garuda Pancasila symbol was used for the first time in the Cabinet Session of the United States of Indonesia (RIS). Then on February 15, 1950, this symbol was introduced for the first time at the Hotel Des Indes Jakarta.

This year, Pancasila's Birthday is commemorated by the Garuda Flying Team from the Indonesian Air Force and the Indonesian Aero Sports Federation (FASI) performing maneuvers in the skies of Jember Regency, East Java, Sunday, May 30.