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Tompi: A different slice of life
(Kapanlagi
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(Kapanlagi.com) (Kapanlagi.com)
(Kapanlagi.com)
Plastic surgery and music might seem to be worlds apart.
Not so for singer Teuku Adifitrian, more affectionately known as Tompi, whose curious life journey has granted him success in both worlds.
In the early part of his life, Tompi said he had never thought of becoming a singer. The only thing he wanted was to gain entrance to a prestigious university, obtain a medical degree and become a doctor.
After scoring well on the 1997 entrance test for state universities (UMPTN), Tompi was admitted to the University of Indonesia's (UI) medical faculty. It was during his first year as a medical student that Tompi discovered his singing talent.
'There was a musical event on campus, and a vocalist from one of the university bands fell ill. Being a first-year student, I was told by upperclassmen to replace him,' Tompi told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview.
'I hesitated because I had never before sung on a stage in front of a large crowd. But I decided to give it a go. I was too shy, though, and tried my best to hide as I was singing. I remember that the song was Lionel Richie's 'Easy'. It was pretty much the only song I knew how to sing back then,' Tompi recalled.
'After I finished singing, some of the students asked, 'who was that singer?' I thought to myself, oh my God, they hated my voice! And now they are going to tease me!' Tompi remembered.
'But I was wrong. Instead, after learning my name they called out for an encore.'
Tompi's voice earned him respect from his fellow students, something he found challenging during his first months at the university.
'Most of the students at UI were from top-ranked high schools in Jakarta. I was just a village boy,' said the 35-year-old singer, who was born in Lhokseumawe, Aceh.
Before long, Tompi was befriending other musicians, participating in any jam session he could find, and even performing at cafés. His music, however, remained a hobby, as his main focus was on getting a degree and becoming a doctor.
Although Tompi treated singing and playing music as a hobby, he admitted that since childhood he had harbored a real passion for the arts.
'I used to love humming to myself. I would watch singers performing, and I would privately take mental notes about how they could improve. But I kept all that to myself because back then I never thought I would have a career in arts and entertainment,' he said.
Interestingly, Tompi's love of the arts was the primary factor that prompted him to specialize in plastic surgery.
'There is something very artistic about plastic surgery. A plastic surgeon must have a good sense of aesthetics, an artistic flair, and a delicate touch. These traits are similarly required of singers, or any other kind of artist,' Tompi explained. 'This is why I am passionate about plastic surgery,' he added.
During Tompi's time in medical school, he continued to sing and perform with bands. He was eventually spotted by Gita Wirjawan, the former trade minister, who ran a record label called Omega Pacific Production.
'Gita was the first person to offer me the chance to record a solo album and I thought, why not?' he said.
In late 2004, under the guidance of Omega Pacific, Tompi got his big break, gaining national recognition for a crispy, soulful performance on the world music album, Bali Lounge.
Less than a year later, Omega Pacific produced Tompi's self-titled album, Tompi. All of the songs on Tompi were composed by Tompi, and each relayed stories about his life and the people around him.
To date, Tompi has released eight albums.
Despite his musical success, Tompi still considers plastic surgery his principal occupation, with singing more like a switch that he can easily switch on and off.
In 2010, the same year he finished his degree, Tompi and a number of friends opened the Beyoutiful Aesthetic Clinic in Pakubuwono, South Jakarta. There, Tompi continues to perform surgeries and run the clinic on a daily basis.
'A lot of my patients are surprised when they see me at the clinic. Their usual reaction is 'aren't you that singer, Tompi?' I have to explain to them that I'm also a certified plastic surgeon,' he said.
Tompi said that profits from his plastic surgery practice allowed him to better realize his artistic vision, as the additional income meant he was less dependent on the market and more financially independent.
In the future, Tompi said he would continue practicing plastic surgery. As for his musical career, he said that he would continue working with Trio Lestari, which is a collaboration between himself and vocalists Sandhy Sondoro and Glenn Fredly.
'Trio Lestari is unlike other vocal groups because we try to highlight social issues in our performances. We want to give [the audience] advice on how we can be better citizens.'
