Ismail Marzuki

Lore & Background

Ismail Marzuki was born in Kwitang, Jakarta, to a wealthy Betawi family. His father owned an automobile repair shop and played the rebana; his mother was a housewife who raised him. From a young age, Marzuki learned to play the rebana, ukulele, and guitar by ear, listening repeatedly to records on the family gramophone. He attended a Dutch-language elementary school (HIS) in Menteng and later MULO on Mendjangan Street, becoming fluent in Indonesian, English, and Dutch, and also studied religion at Unwanul Wustha Madrasah. He never studied music formally.

Marzuki wrote his first song, 'O Sarinah', in 1931. He began his music career by joining the Lief Java Orchestra in the mid-1930s, performing at Studio Orkes NIROM II in Bandung. Around 1937, the group moved to the rival station VORO. He later led the Jakarta Studio Orchestra, the Bandung Studio Orchestra, and the Hoso Kanri Kyoku orchestra during the Japanese occupation. In 1940, he married Eulis Zuraidah, a Sundanese keroncong singer. During the Indonesian National Revolution, he sold gado-gado with his wife rather than cooperate with the Dutch-Allied NICA. He wrote his last song, 'Inikah Bahagia', in 1957, and died at his home in Tanah Abang on 25 May 1958, being buried in Karet Bivak Cemetery.

Reader's Guide

Ismail Marzuki's significance lies in his prolific output of patriotic songs that became embedded in Indonesian national identity. His works, such as 'Halo, Halo Bandung', 'Gugur Bunga', and 'Rayuan Pulau Kelapa', are characterized by simple, mid-range melodies and lyrics that evoke love for Indonesia and unity. Many of these songs are considered compulsory and are taught in schools. His legacy was cemented by the 1968 creation of Taman Ismail Marzuki, a major cultural centre in central Jakarta, and his 2004 recognition as a National Hero of Indonesia. Marzuki's songs have been rerecorded in various genres, including pop and keroncong, and classical composer Ananda Sukarlan has created piano and orchestral works based on them. He received the first Wijaya Kusuma award from President Sukarno in 1961. His life also reflects his nationalism, as he refused to cooperate with Dutch-Allied forces during the revolution, and his romantic side, seen in songs like 'Kalau Anggrek Berbunga' and 'Siasat Asmara'. He was known for his baritone voice, earning the nickname 'Bing Crosby from Kwitang', and for his collection of musical instruments.

Did You Know?

• Ismail Marzuki wrote his first song, 'O Sarinah', in 1931, about a suffering people.
• He sold gado-gado with his wife during the Indonesian National Revolution rather than cooperate with the Dutch-Allied NICA.
• His wife Eulis Zuraidah inspired his original Sundanese song 'Panon Hideung'.