Being satirical, the Djaduk way

JP

JAKARTA: He took the stage again that night, in front of a reproduction of one of the city murals’ depicting a laughing crocodile.

Performing for dozens at the Bentara Budaya Jakarta on Thursday night, musician Djaduk
Ferianto sang his hilarious yet satirical songs.

“The thieves got caught. But, oops, the ones who caught them turned out to be thieves themselves,” sang leader of ethnic music group Orkes Sinten Remen, while performing the “Keroncong Buaya Gendong Cicak” (crocodile carrying a gecko on his back).

He was responding to the recently revealed power struggle between the National Police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

In the show, Djaduk and his brother Butet Kertaredjasa —doing a no-less hilarious monologue as crocodile-slaughter Javanese mythical figure Joko Tingkir — chose to voice their criticisms the way they know best.

Thursday’s performance was entertaining as well as philosophical, touching upon various issues along the way.

“I composed that song [Maling Budima” or kind-hearted thief] two years ago,” Djaduk said.
And it seems not much has changed in two years, then.

“Let’s look at the cicak vs buaya in a positive way. It means law enforcement officers have improved their skills.

“Not only can they catch traffic violators, they can even criminalized people,” Butet said. Ouch! — JP