March 9 In History: National Music Day And The Debate

WR Supratman (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Today, March 9 is the commemoration of National Music Day. National Music Day has been established since 2013 through Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 10 of 2013 concerning National Music Day by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

At that time, the issuance of the Presidential Decree was deemed necessary because previously many Indonesian music artists had commemorated March 9 as music day. Before SBY issued the Presidential Decree on National Music Day, President Megawati Sukarnoputri first declared National Music Day to be celebrated on March 9.

The declaration was carried out at the State Palace, Jakarta, on March 10, 2003. This was marked by pressing the button on the official website of the Association of Indonesian Artists, Singers, Songwriters, and Recording Music Arrangers (PAPPRI).

March 9 was chosen as National Music Day because that date is the birthday of songwriter Indonesia Raya, WR Supratman. However, WR Supratman's actual birth date is still being debated.

The Debate

Cited from Historia, Tuesday, March 9, many historical records say that WR Soepratman was born in Meester Cornelis - now Jatinegara - in Jakarta, March 9, 1903. According to Soekoso DM, a member of WR Supratman's History Straightening Team, the statement that says WR Supratman was born in Meester Cornelis is from his brother, Roekijem. It is possible that Roekijem, who is married to a Dutchman, would be embarrassed if WR Supratman was found to had been born in the village.

"Reokijem's statement was written by Oerip Supardjo to Matumona, the biographer WR Supratman. However, Oerip has corrected this statement by saying that Wage (WR Supratman) was born in Somongari”, said Soekoso.

The birthday of WR Supratman was also debated. Some believe it is March 9, 1903. However, not a few also believe that WR Supratman was born 10 days later.

However, after the researcher and documentary film maker of Saksi-Saksi Hidup Kelahiran Bayi Wage, Dwi Raharja conducted research, it was believed that WR Supratman was actually born on March 19. The research was also strengthened by the family of WR Supratman asking the government to use March 19, 1903, as the birthday of the creator of the Indonesia Raya national anthem.

On March 29, 2007, PN Purworejo had even appointed WR Supratman to be born on Thursday 19 March 1903 in Dukuh Trembelang, Somongari Village, Kaligesing District, Purworejo Regency, Central Java. The existence of a decree from the Purworejo District Court could cancel WR Soepratman's birthday, which was commemorated on March 9, 1903.

"It is hoped that the National Music Day can be immediately adjusted to the decision of the Purworejo District Court which states that WR Supratman was born on March 19, 1903", Dwi Raharja said, quoted from Kompas, March 15, 2008.

Kak Har or Dwi Raharja - also stated that the statement of WR Supratman's birth date was revealed in a documentary film which was completed in 1977 and stored in the Youth Pledge Museum, Jalan Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta. Because of this mistake, Kak Har at that time appealed to commemorate WR Supratman's birthday on 19 March.

Likewise, the notes written on the information wall at the Tomb of Heroes WR Soepratman in Surabaya need to be corrected because the writing on the date of birth is incorrect and has the potential to cause confusion for pilgrims. However, until this moment, National Music Day is still celebrated on March 9.

About WR Supratman

The real name of WR Supratman is Wage Supratman. After a Dutch-Indonesian man named Willem van Eldik married his older sister, Roekijem, the name Wage Soepratman was added with "Rudolf" to become WR Supratman.

Quoting the official website of the Youth Pledge Museum, WR Supratman's music career cannot be separated from the role of van Eldik. WR Supratman was given a violin for his 17th birthday.

Together with Van Eldik, WR Supratman then founded a Jazz band called Black And White. WR Supratman's expertise in music was used to create songs of struggle.

Songs by WR Supratman are designated as the National Anthem of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia Raya. Other songs by WR Supratman are Di Timur Matahari, Ibu Kita Kartini, and Matahari Terbit.

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