Their definitions of Sufism vary, but all are attempting to spur a discussion of Islam that is meaningful for Indonesians. The three spiritual leaders use their music to fuel an Islamic revival in Indonesia that can be called Sufi. Emha Ainun Nadjib (Cak Nun) is a writer in Yogyakarta who uses a modern revamping of traditional Javanese music in eclectic and philosophical community gatherings with his gamelan ensemble Kiai Kanjeng their pieces "Gundul Pacul" and "Ilir-Ilir," examples of Islamic fusion, are analyzed with reference to Cak Nun's prose writings "Menyorong Rembulan dan Matahari Berkabut" and "Gundul Pacul, 'Fooling Around,' Cengengesan." This dissertation also describes the work of other Islamic musicians in Indonesia, including Snada, Bimbo, Edcoustic, Ungu, Letto, Gigi, MQ Voice, and The New MQ Voice.
Ahmad Dhani is a rock musician of the Jakarta band Dewa 19, who refashioned himself as a spiritual leader in order to oppose radical Islam through Islamic rock music his songs "Satu" and "Laskar Cinta" clearly reference the philosophies of the Indonesian Sufi saint Syekh Siti Jenar. Abdullah Gymnastiar (Aa Gym) is a preacher in Bandung whose music attempts to bring together Arabic traditions and optimistic practical advice his piece "Jagalah Hati" shares in the theology of the Islamic philosopher Abu Hamid al-Ghazali and represents the "Managemen Qolbu" philosophies of his pesantren Darut Tauhid, a center for the nasyid musical style. This dissertation compares three modern leaders who place their music within their own ideological context through non-musical discourse.
PDF (Performing Islam through Indonesian Popular Music, 2002-2007)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Aa Gym, Track: Jagalah Hati)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Dewa 19, Album: Republik Cinta, Track: Laskar Cinta Chapter One)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Dewa 19, Album: Republik Cinta, Track: Laskar Cinta Chapter Two)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Dewa 19, Album: Laskar Cinta, Track: Satu)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Ebith Beat*A, Track: Obati Hati)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: KiaiKanjeng, Track: Gundul Pacul)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: KiaiKanjeng, Track: Ilir Ilir)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: KiaiKanjeng, Track: Tombo Ati)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: New MQ Voice, Track: Jagalah Hati)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Opick, Track: Tombo Ati)Īudio (MP3) (Artist: Snada, Track: Jagalah)Ī growing body of scholarship examines the diverse and new ways that popular music is used as a vehicle for Islamic discourse in contemporary Indonesian society.