- THE THREE SOUND OF REVOLUTION / RING SOUND / MIDDLE SOUND / INDEX SOUND
Raja Kirik
(Indonesia)
Bio:
Raja Kirik is a music, performance and research project by Yennu Ariendra and J. Mo'ong Santoso Pribadi. It is a venture through the history and present of folk trance dances such as reog, jaranan, and jathilan, that are practiced to this day in east and central Java, Indonesia. The dances draw on magic, shamanism, and animism as well as captivating music and storytelling to explore a history that is at times dark, chaotic, violent, and unjust. Such traditions have long served the people and their efforts at cultural resistance, and are still relevant in political struggles today.
The result of extensive artistic research into the island’s history, Raja Kirik considers the violence, oppression, and resistance that has shaped Java. At the time of Dutch colonialism, trance dances served the Javanese as an expression of their ardent desire for freedom and their rejection of colonial rule. Ariendra and Pribadi show how music, dance, and ritual still provide narrative means today to assert oneself against foreign rule and violence.
CONCEPT
Raja Kirik chose the song "Darah Juang" as a representation of struggle and social movement because both share a core spirit of resistance against injustice, both in historical and modern contexts. Raja Kirik, who explores and celebrates Indonesian cultural traditions through folk dances such as reog, jaranan, and jathilan, finds a strong resonance in the song "Darah Juang," which was born from the spirit of the Indonesian people's struggle during the 1998 Reform era.
"Darah Juang" is a highly symbolic song, speaking about sacrifice and resistance against the authoritarian regime that had long dominated Indonesia. This song raises awareness about the importance of solidarity and collective spirit in facing injustice, inviting society to stand together in the fight for freedom and justice. In Raja Kirik's context, this song represents a form of movement that not only focuses on contemporary politics but also on the cultural resilience that has long been present in folk dances and traditional performances.
The decision to remix the song "Darah Juang" is not without reason. Traditions such as reog, jaranan, and jathilan have deep roots in East Java and Central Java communities, not just as entertainment, but also as symbols of resistance and the people's resilience against oppression. These dances, which combine collective energy and high cultural values, align with the spirit of resistance expressed in "Darah Juang." Both invite society to remain steadfast in facing difficulties and injustices, with a spirit of struggle that has been passed down through generations.
By choosing "Darah Juang" as a representation of the movement, Raja Kirik shows that the fight for justice can be realized not only through modern political forms but also through understanding and appreciating cultural traditions that remain relevant today. This song is not just a symbol of the 1998 reform spirit, but also a reflection of the spirit of cultural resilience that continues to evolve through tradition and folk performance arts. Through performances combining music and dance, Raja Kirik revives the spirit of resistance that speaks not only about political change but also about the continuity and strengthening of cultural identity as part of a larger struggle.
Thus, "Darah Juang" becomes not only a song of resistance that is relevant to Indonesian historical events but also a part of a cultural journey that involves community and collectivity in facing injustice, affirming that struggle knows no time, and musicality and tradition remain integral parts of that movement.
Lyric
INDONESIA
Disini negeri kami
Tempat padi terhampar
Samudranya kaya raya
Tanah kami subur tuan.
Di negeri permai ini
Berjuta rakyat besimbah rugah
Anak buruh tak sekolah
Pemuda desa tak kerja.
Mereka dirampas haknya
Tergusur dan lapar
Bunda, relakan darah juang kami
'Tuk membebaskan rakyat.
Mereka dirampas haknya
Tergusur dan lapar
Bunda, relakan darah juang kami
Padamu kami berbakti.
ENGLISH
This is our country
The rice fields are spread out
The ocean is rich
Our land is fertile, sir.
In this beautiful land
Millions of people are overflowing
Workers' children don't go to school
Village youth don't work.
They are deprived of their rights
Displaced and hungry
Mother, spare our fighting blood
'To free the people.
They are deprived of their rights
Displaced and hungry
Mother, spare our fighting blood
We are devoted to you.
