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Google Doodle celebrates late legendary artist Benyamin Sueb
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A Google Doodle of legendary Betawi artist Benyamin Sueb. (Google/File)
Google Indonesia has celebrated the inauguration of Benyamin Sueb Park in East Jakarta with a doodle.
Established in 2018, the park was dedicated to the late legendary, multi-talented Betawi artist Benyamin Sueb.
Born on March 5, 1939, Benyamin was known for writing more than 300 songs, including hits like “Hujan Gerimis” (Drizzle), “Nonton Bioskop” (Watching Movies) and “Ondel-Ondel” (Giant Effigies).
He was also famous as an actor in the 1970s, starring in over 50 films, including Intan Berduri (Thorny Diamond) and Si Doel Anak Modern (Doel the Modern Man), both of which performances earned him the Best Actor award at the Indonesian Film Festival.
The doodle, created by Indonesian artist Isa Indra Permana, features the man himself, wearing a plain white T-shirt with a sarong on his shoulders, and several elements that are closely related to him, such as ondel-ondel, film rolls and a musical instrument.
“I was inspired by some of Benyamin's phenomenal sitcoms, such as Si Doel Anak Sekolahan [Doel the College Boy], as well as his unique Betawi style of dressing and hit song 'Kompor Mleduk' [Blown Stove], which immediately crosses your mind when someone mentions his name,” said Isa on the Google Doodle page.
Isa hoped his doodle would remind people of Benyamin’s wit and legacy. “His art was his medium to express himself. He was and continues to be an inspirational figure." (wir/kes)
