The band started off as ‘Nirma Puspita’, a Surabaya-based music group which was known to accompany other singers’ performances until it decided to take a leap of faith in 1964 to try to make it on their own. Four initial members of the band which include Titiek AR, Prasetiani, Lies AR and Susy Nander departed from Surabaya to Jakarta to meet with Koes Bersaudara leader, Tony Koeswoyo, whom they met previously in Surabaya. 

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With the name ‘Irama Puspita’, the all-girl band begun to perform as Koes Bersaudara’s opening act in 1965 and due to a mistake in an announcement for its performance in February 1965, the band’s name was unintentionally changed into ‘Dara Puspita’. In an interview with Rolling Stone Indonesia, Susy Nander said, “We didn’t protest at that time because Dara Puspita had a nicer ring to it.” 

After several member changes, Dara Puspita’s final members include Titiek AR (lead guitar & vocals), Lies AR (rhythm guitar & vocals), Susy Nander (drums) and Titiek Hamzah (bass & vocals). The band’s hit songs include “Surabaja”, “Burung Kakaktua” and “Tanah Airku”. 

At press time, Dara Puspita members are yet to comment further and details about the new recording are yet to surface.

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