Working Honestly, How Iwan Fals Has Eternal Songs

The legendary Indonesian singer, Iwan Fals. (VOI/Ivan Two Men)

JAKARTA - Iwan Fals is known as one of the Indonesian musicians who has many eternal songs. Songs that incidentally talk about social and political conditions in the New Order era, such as Young Schools', Sore Pancoran Monument, to Crimes for People's Representatives', are still often sung today.

In various concerts, Iwan Fals was also faced with audiences from different generations. Interestingly, they all participated in singing the lyrics of the songs performed.

For Iwan Fals, seeing a new generation who came to his concert was an encouragement in itself. He did not know for sure how his songs from the late 1970s could be interesting to today's young generation, but what is certain is that he said his works were produced through honest confinement.

"In principle, I'm just trying to be myself. Even though I'm still in the process, I'm trying to be honest. What I want, what I want, I write, I think and feel. I appreciate that," said Iwan Fals when met at Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta recently.

Calling himself still in the process, the 62-year-old singer and songwriter still finds it awkward to call himself an Indonesian music legend. He felt that many parties played a role in making his works eternal.

"If it's a legend or not, that's teamwork, there's Musica (label), there's reporters, there's buskers from the shop to the shop who sing (my song). That's what makes me excited and struggling to be yourself," he said.

Furthermore, Iwan Fals prefers to interpret his works that are often called everlasting' with the present perspective. Music is a cultural product that is constantly changing, which also means it can continue to be interpreted in a new way.

"About something like this, the past and this, I don't really think about it. If I feel that everlasting is today. That's what I ( BELIEVE in), when it comes to songs and all kinds of things. And it's also not my field to determine what everlasting is. But how to appreciate it all becomes meaningful, That's my concern," concluded Iwan Fals.