Celebration of Saraswati Day in Bali

In Bali there are frequent ceremonies that celebrate the Hindu faith. Every day, according to the Balinese lunar calendar, has some significance that requires prayer and offerings to appease the Gods. Through religion and belief, the Balinese are bound to the ritual traditions that are an intrinsic part of their heritage. It is this fascinating culture that has drawn so many travellers’ to Bali’s shores.

The balinese Goddess : saraswati
Pic Source : www.hindu-dharma.org

On Saturday, 16th September, the Balinese will celebrate Saraswati Day. Saraswati is the Balinese Goddess of knowledge, wisdom and the arts. She is one of most revered deities that Balinese Hindu’s worship and is depicted as a very beautiful woman with four arms carrying symbols related to science and the arts. Huge stone sculptures and images of the Goddess Saraswati at the front entrance of many Balinese schools and universities is evidence of the level of local respect towards education.

celebration of saraswati day
Pic source : www.newmedia-bali.com

Saraswati Day honours the knowledge that is bestowed on mankind. It is believed that without science and art it is impossible to create anything new on this earth. Many Balinese try to refrain from reading or writing on this special ceremonial day.

In schools and institutes of education all around the island students gather early in the morning dressed in their ceremonial finery for a session of communal prayer. Resource books are piled high and blessed with offering of fruit, flowers and a sprinkling of holy water. Students take this opportunity to pray for guidance with future studies and to lead a harmonious life that adheres to the basic guidelines of Hinduism.

The Statue of saraswati in bali
Pic Source : blog.baliwww.com

On the morning that follows Saraswati Day worshippers go to the sea to bathe and purify themselves in a cleansing ritual. This marks the conclusion of this particular religious occasion where local Hindu’s demonstrate their eternal gratitude to God Almighty who is personified by the ethereal Goddess Saraswati.

Source : http://culturebalinese.blogspot.com

The Tielman Brothers, The greatest Indorock legend

The Tielman Brothers were the first Dutch Indo band that successfully went international in the 1950s. They were one of the pioneers of rock and roll in The Netherlands. The band was quite famous in Europe, long before The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Their music was later called Indorock, a fusion of Indonesian and Western music, and has roots in Kroncong.

The Tielman Family in Surabaya, Indonesia 1947
l/r: Jane, Reggy, Ponthon, Andy, Loulou, Mother Flora Lorine Hess, Father Herman Tielman


The Timor Rhythm Brothers in Surabaya 1947
l/r: Ponthon, Reggy, Loulou, Jane, Andy Tielman


The Timor Rhythm Brothers (early 50's)
l/r: Ponthon, Andy, Loulou, Wim Noya, Herman Tielman, Reggy

Tielman Brothers has appeared on the Palace of State Jakarta before the President Sukarno. They are the children of Herman Tielman from Kupang and Flora Lorine Hess from Semarang. Their recording career began when Tielman family in 1957 migrated and settled in Breda, the Netherlands. The Tielman Brothers are well known in Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Germany. In Indonesia itself, the name Tielman Brothers is still a foreign name, a fact which is very unfortunate.

The Four Tielman Brothers on stage (Haagsche Dierentuin, The Hague ca.1957/1958)

Tielman Brothers introduced the first reliable rock music before The Beatles. Action stage they are known always attractive and entertaining. They appear as jumping, rolling, and display the guitar, bass, and drums are gorgeous. Andy Tielman, the frontman, even believed to have popularized the attraction of playing guitar with his teeth, behind the head or behind the body long before the Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page or Ritchie Blackmore.

The Tielman Brothers with sister Jane and Alphonse Faverey (left)(1963)

The musical journey of the Tielman Brothers started in Surabaya in 1945, where the four brothers and a younger sister, Jane, often performed. They inherited their musical ability from their father, Herman Tielman, an army captain KNIL, who used to play music with friends at home in Surabaya.

The Tielman Brothers in the Koepelzaal of the Haagse Dierentuin (The Hague Zoo). 3rd. January 1960.

Starting from Ponthon's interest to play the contrabass his brothers soon followed taking up instruments. Reggy studied banjo, Loulou studied drums, and Andy learned guitar. Their first appearance at the party at his house to make his friends marveled at bringing difficult Jazz songs likeTiger Ragand12th Street Rag. Since then they often performed at private events in Surabaya. Followed by public performances around Indonesia. They continued playing until at the end of 1957 the family decided to move to the Netherlands.

Andy Tielman & The Tielman Brothers in de 70's
Andy with Vox Mando-Guitar (12-string elec. mandolin). Behind him a Vox AC 100 De Luxe and Fender XII

In the Netherlands they became one of the most important Dutch bands ever, founding a new musical genre called Indorock and are considered the frontrunners of Dutch pop music. They became the most popular Indorock group and performed around Europe. They were particularly popular in Germany.

Frontman Andy Tielman is known as the Godfather of Indorock.

The Line Up

The Timor Rhythm Brothers (1945-1957)
Reggy Tielman (banjo, guitar, vocal)- Surabaya, 20 May 1933
Ponthon Tielman (double bass, guitar, vocal)- 4 August 1934 - 29 April 2000
Andy Tielman (guitar, vocal)– 30 May 1936
Loulou Tielman (Herman Lawrence)(drum, vocal)– 30 october 1938 - 4 August 1994
Jane Tielman (Janette Loraine)(vocal)- 17 August 1940 - 25 juni 1993.

The Four Tielman Brothers - The 4 T's (1957-1959)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, vocal)
Ponthon Tielman (double bass, vocal)
Loulou Tielman (drums, vocal).

The Tielman Brothers (1960-1963)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, vocal)
Franky Luyten (rhythm guitar, vocal)
Ponthon Tielman (bass guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)

The Tielman Brothers (1963-1964)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Alphonse Faverey (lead guitar) ex-stringers to The Four Beat Breakers > The Time Breakers
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)
Franky Luyten (rhythm guitar, vocal) to The Four Beat Breakers > The Time Breakers
Ponthon Tielman (bass guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)to Tielman Royal; afterwards back to Indonesia
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
Jane Tielman (vocal)

The Tielman Brothers (1964-1969)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, 6 string bass,vocal)
Robby Latuperisa (bass, guitar, 6 string bass)
Hans Bax (rhythm guitar, vocal)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
Jane Tielman (vocal)

Andy Tielman and his Indonesians (1969-1971)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, 6 string bass, vocal)
Rob Latuperisa (bass guitar, 6 string bass)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal)
Benny Heynen (tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)
Maurice de la Croix (bariton/tenor saxophone)
Leo Masengi (tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)ex-The High Five
Jane Tielman (vocal)
Ilse Uchtman (vocal)

Loulou Tielman & The Tielman Brothers (1972-1974)
Eddy Chatelin (guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, rhythm guitar)
Maurice de la Croix (bariton/tenor saxophone)
Leo Masengi (tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)
Rob Latuperisa (bass guitar)
Benny Heynen (tenor saxophone, clarinet, guitar)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal).
Jane Tielman (vocal)

Andy Tielman & The Tielman Brothers (1975-1981)
Andy Tielman (lead guitar, vocal)
Reggy Tielman (2nd lead guitar, rhythm guitar)
Loulou Tielman (drum, vocal).
Rob Latuperisa (bass guitar)
Maurice de la Croix (bariton/tenor saxophone)
Leo Masengi (alt/tenor saxophone, rhythm guitar)
Benny Heynen (tenor saxophone, clarinet, guitar)

Discography

FOUR TIELMAN BROTHERS
1958 Rock Little Baby Of Mine / You're Still The One (Fernap FP 5001)

THE TIELMAN BROTHERS SINGLES:
1959 Record Hop / Swing It Up (Imperial HI 1026)
1960 My Maria / You're Still The One (Imperial HI 1032)
1960 Black Eyes / Rock Littie Baby (Imperial HI 1033)
1960 18th Century Rock / Pretend (Imperial HI 1049)
1960 18th Century Rock / Pretend (Capitol 4569) USA
1960 I Can't Forget You / AAA (Imperial HI 1060)
1961 April In Paris / 0 Rosalie (Imperial HI 1203)
1962 Java Guitars / Warum Weinst Du Kleine Tamara (Ariola AT 10032)
1962 In The Mood / Sunday (ooit uitgebracht?)
1962 Tahiti Jungle / Fern Am Amazones (Ariola AT 45366)
1963 Little Hanschen Twist / Twistin'The Carioca (Ariola AT 10484)
1965 Little Girl / Yes I'm In Love (Ariola AT 18054)
1965 Love So True / Don't Go Away (Ariola AT 18056)
1965 Maria / Marabunta (Ariola ANG 10004)
1965 Exodus / Real Love (Ariola ANG 10006)
1965 White Christmas / I Wonder (Ariola ANG 10007)
1965 Little Lovely Lady / Warte Ab Darling Rosmarie
1966 Hello Catharina / Say You're Mine (Ariola AT 18276)
1966 No One But You / You Are The One (Ariola AT 18278)
1966 Maria / I Wonder (Ariola AT 18614)
1966 Exodus / White Christmas (Ariola AT 18654)
1966 Michelle / Du Gehst Vor,ber (Ariola AT 18768)
1966 Wanderer Ohne Ziel / Viel Zu Spat (Ariola AT 18898)
1966 You Got To Much Going For Love / Can't Help Falling In Love
1967 Little Bird / Gone For Good (Delta DS 1263)
1967 Little Bird / Gone For Good (Vogue DV 14696)
1967 Little Bird / She's Gone For Good (Rainwood R-807) USA
1968 I Can't Help Falling In Love / Goodbye Mama (Delta DS 1271)
1968 Absence / Little Dog (Injection TAR 61012)
1968 Nina Don't Go / Maria My Love (Imperial TAR 61013)
1968 Nanana Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye / It's Magic In You Girl (Fontana YF 278838)
1970 Manolito / Unter'm Bambus Von Trinidad
1971 Say A Simple Word / Summer Without You
1972 Poor People / Forever And Evermore (met Jane Tielman)(Negram NG 309)
1972 With Your Help / Tell Me Your Name (Injection 134548)
1973 Hey Hey / I'm A Stranger In My Land (Negram NG 329)
1975 Hey Hey / I'm A Stranger In My Land (heruitgave)(Negram NG 2013)
1975 Goodbye Mama / Country Girl
1976 Rip It Up / Move It (Philips 6012641)
1980 Jesus / Part 2 (Killroy KR 2894 KL)
1980 Jesus / Part 2 (12-inch disco version)(Killroy KR 119504 KL)
1981 Little Bird / Poor People (EMI 5 006-26704)
1981 Cheryl Moana Marie / Blue Bayou
1991 Black Eyes Rock / Rollin' Rock

Source : Wikipedia and Indorock

Soeharto, The Smiling General

Soeharto was the second President of Indonesia, having held the office for 32 years from 1967 following Sukarno's removal until his resignation in 1998.

Soeharto was born in a small village near Yogyakarta in 8 June 1921, during the Dutch colonial era. His Javanese peasant parents divorced not long after his birth, and he was passed between foster parents for much of his childhood. During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, Suharto served in Japanese-organised Indonesian security forces.

Indonesia's independence struggle saw him joining the newly formed Indonesian army. Soeharto rose to the rank of Major General following Indonesian independence. An attempted coup on 30 September 1965 was countered by Soeharto-led troops and was blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party.The army subsequently led an anti-communist purge, and Suharto wrested power from Indonesia's founding president, Sukarno.

He was appointed acting president in 1967 and President the following year. Support for Soeharto's presidency eroded following the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis. He was forced to resign from the presidency in May 1998 and he died in 2008.

He was known as the smiling general. This is because at every moment, he is always smiling to the public. Nobody knows for sure why he was always smiling to the public, which surely it is his trademark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/

SBY wants peaceful solution to row with Malaysia

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on people of the country to refrain from any use of violence in response to a recent incident in the maritime border between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Speaking in a televised speech at the Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters on Wednesday evening, the President said acts of violence would only spark more violence and exacerbate the problem.

"We have to always maintain our image and personality as a dignified nation in international community without having to sacrifice our characteristic free and active foreign policy,” the president said.

He expected Indonesia and Malaysia to solve their border row without destruction.

"The way Indonesia and Malaysia deal with their row will be closely watched by our Asian neighbors and the international community. As a founder of ASEAN, Indonesia has played a role model for other Southeast Asian neighbors and countries in other parts of the world in conflict resolution,” he said.

He promised to settle the recent dispute peacefully as soon as possible.

http://www.thejakartapost.com