Rio, of Sulawesi and Betawi descent, sang nine songs, most of them rooted in eastern Indonesian folk music. They included Rame-Rame (Together) and Di Timur Matahari (The Sun is in the East). All of them were presented in a new musical arrangement, giving them a fresh and modern feel with a touch of pop that appeals also to a younger generation.

Rio perceived this as a challenge for him and his band mates. “We had to arrange the songs without changing their [true] colors,” he explained after the show. “Each of the folk songs has its own unique origin, such as Maluku and Papua, with different melodies and chords.”

Aside from folk numbers, Rio also performed some of his popular titles like Nada Kasih (Love Tone), Tiada Kata Berpisah (No Farewell), Matahari (Sun) and Bukan Untukku (You are not for Me). His energetic 60-minute performance fascinated the audience, which sang along most of the time. Between songs he would talk to the audience and share his story.

“As one of the most renowned singers in Indonesia, Rio has inspired many young people for the richness of eastern Indonesian music by [the new] arrangement that can be enjoyed by the audience this afternoon,” said Renitasari Adrian, program director of the Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation.

(Read also: Theatrical show ‘Mahabharata’ to grace Jakarta, Yogyakarta stages)

The singer, who admits that Acehnese folk songs are the most difficult to learn and perform, expressed his willingness to present folk songs from other regions in Indonesia. Similar to this event, the concept should be more than just singing. “We [should] talk about the culture itself, [such as] the root and what kind of instruments [are used],” he said. (asw)

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