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Radio Gapura Klewer: Rocking Solo's batik market
On air: Two of the DJ/employees at work at Radio Gapura Klewer in Surakarta, Central Java
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On air: Two of the DJ/employees at work at Radio Gapura Klewer in Surakarta, Central Java.
Crammed with racks for cassettes, CDs, album posters, three standing fans and all sorts of old broadcasting equipment, Radio Gapura Klewer Promotion brings the hits to listeners from the second floor of Klewer Market in Surakarta, Central Java.
'The fans are installed to keep the air fresh and to cool the CD player. If it's too hot, the player might explode,' said Widya, one of the studio's DJs, half-jokingly.
The community radio service aimed at merchants and visitors to the venerable batik market, broadcasts on 97.3 FM and disseminates information and messages from the city's marketing office and the Pasar Klewer Traders' Association (HPPK).
The station was founded in 1990 by owner/manager Hadi Yasri, to provide background music for the market, although the mission changed when listeners asked for more information on current events and entertainment.
Now, DJs present up-to-the-minute news, with a special emphasis on Surakarta and the market.
'As we don't have reporters, we're presenting news items from dailies and online media,' Widya said. 'We have to keep our reports updated, notable topics include the recent presidential election and the World Cup.
Vendors love the station, which means that there are no holidays for the station's staff. On one recent Sunday, Widya and fellow DJ, Titik, were on air by 9 a.m.
About 100 speakers in the market deliver the station's signal.
Typically, the DJs read three or four news reports before cutting away for two songs. Listeners can make requests for Rp 500 (4 US cents) using special cards.
'One card is only valid for one song, which can be dedicated to anybody. Most market sellers frequently communicate with each other by this means,' said Titik.
While Widya is on air, Titik has to rummage around the racks to find song requests, which are typically oldies. Radio Gapura's music library leans heavily on cassettes.
However, there are also many requests for current hits, both western and Indonesian. 'The songs of [rock band] NOAH, Agnes Monica, [dangdut star] Ayu Ting Ting and western oldies are among listeners' favorites, so they're widely varied,' Titik said.
Traders say that Radio Gapura offers relaxation amid the hectic circumstances of the market and a break from boredom.
'Listening to the music is our only form of entertainment. Without the radio we'd suffer from stress, particularly when business is slow. The radio provides stress relief for traders here,' said Aryanto Fajar, a batik dealer.
Radio Gapura, which is on air from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily, also airs reports on missing persons, vacant parking spaces and directions to specific kiosks and exits inside the packed market.
Radio Gapura receives no aid from the city government and runs its business independently. In addition to song requests, the station offers commercials for vendors in the market. On-air ads sell for Rp 3,000 and are aired five times. Lost item announcements go for Rp 2,000 while social announcements, such as death announcements, are offered for free, however donations are greatly appreciated.
'In a month, dozens of traders pay for such commercials. The income isn't great but the studio can procure more cassettes and CDs, pay DJ salaries, electricity bills and market fees,' said Titik.
'The pay is small, still below the minimum wage,' Widya said. 'From the start, we realized this community radio station was intended to serve market traders and customers, so we just feel grateful for what we earn.'
Sometimes vendors take advantage of the cheap advertising rates to broadcast delivery orders to food stalls in the market. 'As we can't track down the callers, we only serve those already on our contact list or those who are willing to give all their contact details,' said Titik, who also founded the station.
Still, another source of income is a live karaoke service priced at Rp 1,000 per song. Traders and visitors can sing at the studio and have their voices heard on the radio.
Many karaoke fans have taken up the offer ' the service generates Rp 50,000 a day.
'Some have good voices and others are out of tune. The point is they should enjoy the moment, in spite of their off-key tone,' Titik said.
' Photos by Ganug Nugroho Adi
