Iwan Fals
Encyclopedia
Iwan Fals is an Indonesia
n singer
–songwriter
. In 2002, Time
magazine named him as a Great Asian Hero.
In 1982, he wrote "Galang Rambu Anarki" as gratitude for the birth of his first son. He continued busking until his second child was born in 1985.
In early 1990s, he joined Kantata group. The band's first album was Kantata Takwa (Cantata of Piety). The musical style was "rebana rock", a blend of Jimi Hendrix
and Rick Wakeman
, to a Betawi rebana. They also released "Bento" and "Bongkar" ("Rip It Down"), two of several songs which they sang during a demonstration by college students.
In 1993, he released Orang Gila, after which he disappeared from recording. In 2002, he reappeared and released Suara Hati. In July 1998, however, he released Salam Reformasi ("Greetings Reformation"), which sold more than 50,000 copies.
In 2005, he released Iwan Fals Ii Love, consists of sixteen romantic songs with "Ijinkan Aku Menyayangimu" ("Let Me Love You") as the main single.
In 2007, 50:50 was released by Musica Studios. The album's themes were romance and social criticism. One single of the album, "Pulanglah" ("Go Home"), tells about the death of Munir
. Six singles were written by himself and other six singles were written by his fellow musician.
In writing song, he was inspired by news and environments. Some of his songs, such as "Kamu Sudah Gila" ("You've Gone Crazy") and "Apa Kamu Sudah Jadi Tuhan?" ("Have You Ever Been as God?") criticized the New Order regime
. He also wrote "Belalang Tua" ("Old Grasshopper") while he noticed the grasshoppers in his backyard. In "Oemar Bakrie" he told about teacher's life, whereas "Kembang Pete" ("Petai Flower") tells the poor who were underestimated. "Aku Bosan" ("I'm Bored") is about a child protesting to his parents because they left him alone at home. While "Hura-Hura Huru-Hara" ("Fake Riot") compares moneylender to blood-sucking Draculas.
In transportation, he wrote "Celoteh Camar Tolol dan Cemar" as a critic of the sinking of the Tampomas II in Masalembu
. He also wrote "Wakil Rakyat" ("Representative of the People") as an allusion to the legislators who sleep during meetings.
Beside social-themed songs, he wrote romantic songs, including "Yang Terlupakan" ("The Forgotten"), "Mata Indah Bola Pingpong" ("Beautiful Eyes, Pingpong Ball") and "Antara Kau, Aku, dan Bekas Pacarmu" ("Among You, Me, and Your ex-Boyfriend"). He also performed someone's songs, including "Kemesraan" ("Intimity"), "Jangan Tutup Dirimu" ("Don't Close Yourself"), "Kumenanti Seorang Kekasih" ("I'm Waiting for a Lover"), "Aku Bukan Pilihan" ("I'm Not an Option") and "Ijinkan Aku Menyayangimu".
His musical style similar to Bob Dylan
due to their being country
. But Iwan's lyrics were more straightforward.
magazine. In 2011, he received "Satyalancana", the highest government awards from Jero Wacik
, Culture and Tourism Minister of Indonesia.
, West Java
.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
–songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. In 2002, Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine named him as a Great Asian Hero.
Early life
Iwan was born Virgiawan Listanto in Jakarta, on September 3, 1961 to Harsoyo, a soldier, and Lies Suudijah. He studied at SMP 5 Bandung and SMAK BPK Bandung. He continued his studies at Sekolah Tinggi Publisistik and then Jakarta Arts Institute. At the age of thirteen, he performed as a street performer at wedding ceremonies and other social events.Career
During high school, he and his friend formed a group named Amburadul, and went to Jakarta to record an album which turned out to be unsuccessful. Later, he won at a country music festival. After recording four–five albums, Musica Studio recorded his first album, Sarjana Muda; however, he still busked.In 1982, he wrote "Galang Rambu Anarki" as gratitude for the birth of his first son. He continued busking until his second child was born in 1985.
In early 1990s, he joined Kantata group. The band's first album was Kantata Takwa (Cantata of Piety). The musical style was "rebana rock", a blend of Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
and Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
, to a Betawi rebana. They also released "Bento" and "Bongkar" ("Rip It Down"), two of several songs which they sang during a demonstration by college students.
In 1993, he released Orang Gila, after which he disappeared from recording. In 2002, he reappeared and released Suara Hati. In July 1998, however, he released Salam Reformasi ("Greetings Reformation"), which sold more than 50,000 copies.
In 2005, he released Iwan Fals Ii Love, consists of sixteen romantic songs with "Ijinkan Aku Menyayangimu" ("Let Me Love You") as the main single.
In 2007, 50:50 was released by Musica Studios. The album's themes were romance and social criticism. One single of the album, "Pulanglah" ("Go Home"), tells about the death of Munir
Munir Said Thalib
Munir Said Thalib , affectionately known simply as "Munir", was one of Indonesia's most famous human rights and anti-corruption activist...
. Six singles were written by himself and other six singles were written by his fellow musician.
In writing song, he was inspired by news and environments. Some of his songs, such as "Kamu Sudah Gila" ("You've Gone Crazy") and "Apa Kamu Sudah Jadi Tuhan?" ("Have You Ever Been as God?") criticized the New Order regime
New Order (Indonesia)
The New Order is the term coined by former Indonesian President Suharto to characterize his regime as he came to power in 1966. Suharto used this term to contrast his rule with that of his predecessor, Sukarno...
. He also wrote "Belalang Tua" ("Old Grasshopper") while he noticed the grasshoppers in his backyard. In "Oemar Bakrie" he told about teacher's life, whereas "Kembang Pete" ("Petai Flower") tells the poor who were underestimated. "Aku Bosan" ("I'm Bored") is about a child protesting to his parents because they left him alone at home. While "Hura-Hura Huru-Hara" ("Fake Riot") compares moneylender to blood-sucking Draculas.
In transportation, he wrote "Celoteh Camar Tolol dan Cemar" as a critic of the sinking of the Tampomas II in Masalembu
Masalembu Islands
Masalembu Islands lie in the Java Sea about halfway between Java and Borneo. They are administratively part of Masalembu District of Sumenep Regency of Madura, province of East Java. Madurese is spoken on the island. The 3 main islands are Masalembu Island, Masakambing Island, and Keramaian...
. He also wrote "Wakil Rakyat" ("Representative of the People") as an allusion to the legislators who sleep during meetings.
Beside social-themed songs, he wrote romantic songs, including "Yang Terlupakan" ("The Forgotten"), "Mata Indah Bola Pingpong" ("Beautiful Eyes, Pingpong Ball") and "Antara Kau, Aku, dan Bekas Pacarmu" ("Among You, Me, and Your ex-Boyfriend"). He also performed someone's songs, including "Kemesraan" ("Intimity"), "Jangan Tutup Dirimu" ("Don't Close Yourself"), "Kumenanti Seorang Kekasih" ("I'm Waiting for a Lover"), "Aku Bukan Pilihan" ("I'm Not an Option") and "Ijinkan Aku Menyayangimu".
His musical style similar to Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
due to their being country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. But Iwan's lyrics were more straightforward.
Awards
In 2002, he was named as Great Asian Hero by TimeTime (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine. In 2011, he received "Satyalancana", the highest government awards from Jero Wacik
Jero Wacik
Jero Wacik is an Indonesian politician from Singaraja, Bali. He has served as Minister of Culture and Tourism since October 21, 2004 and is currently serving his second term in this position this October 2009...
, Culture and Tourism Minister of Indonesia.
Personal life
In 1982, his first son, Galang Rambu Anarki was born. Three years later, his first daughter Anissa Cikal Rambu Basae was born. His third child is Rayya Rambu Robbani. He and Rosanna, his wife live in CibuburCibubur
Cibubur is a suburb of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. There is a high degree of environmental damage by its industry. Cibubur is the site of an SOS Children's Village....
, West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
.