Saridjah Niung Music Figure of Three Eras, Many of Her Songs Are Immortal

Baca Juga

Photo Source: Metrotvnews.com

FEMUSINDO.com - Saridjah Niung or better known as Ibu Soed is a music figure of three eras (Dutch, Japanese and Indonesian).

Saridjah Niung was born in Sukabumi, West Java, Dutch East Indies, March 26, 1908 and died in Jakarta, May 26, 1993 at the age of 85 years.

She was a musician, music teacher, children's song writer, radio announcer, playwright, and Indonesian batik artist.

The songs created by Ibu Soed are very famous, especially among Indonesian Kindergarten education circles.

Proficient in Playing the Violin

Saridjah was born as the youngest daughter of twelve siblings. Saridjah's biological father was named Mohamad Niung, a sailor from Bugis who settled for a long time in Sukabumi then became a bodyguard for J.F. Kramer (Saridjah's adoptive father).

Saridjah's musical skills, especially playing the violin, were mostly learned from her adoptive father, Prof. Dr. Mr. J.F. Kramer, a retired Deputy Chairman of the Hoogerechtshof (High Prosecutor's Office) in Jakarta at that time.

J.F. Kramer was an Indo-Dutch man with a Javanese aristocratic mother. This background was what made Saridjah educated to be patriotic and love her nation.

Deepening Knowledge in the Field of Vocal Arts and Music

Saridjah continued her education at the Hoogere Kweek School (HKS) Bandung to deepen her knowledge in the field of vocal arts and music.

After graduating, she then taught at the Hollandsch-Inlandsche School (HIS). This was the starting point for Saridjah to start composing songs.

In 1927, she became the wife of Raden Mas Bintang Soedibjo, and she was later known as Ibu Soed, an abbreviation of Soedibjo.

Her voice was first broadcast from NIROM radio Jakarta in the period 1927-1928. In addition to composing songs, Ibu Soed also wrote drama scripts and staged them.

Accompanying the Song Indonesia Raya with W.R. Supratman

As a musician who is skilled at playing the violin, Ibu Soed accompanied the song Indonesia Raya with W.R. Supratman when the song was first sung at the Youth Pledge event at the Youth Pledge Building, on October 28, 1928.

Ibu Soed is also known to be skilled in batik art. For her work and dedication, she received the Satyalancana Kebudayaan award from the Indonesian government and MURI.

Many of Ibu Soed's songs have become eternally popular songs, such as Hai Becak, Burung Kutilang, Kupu-kupu, Nenek Moyang, Menanam Jagung and others. (*)