Sasina, Poetry Musicalization Bureau, under the auspices of the Ikatan Keluarga Sastra Indonesia (IKSI) student association, Faculty of Humanities (FIB) Universitas Indonesia (UI) launched its first Extended Play (EP) on Thursday (23/11). The EP, which is entitled “Dari Seorang Istri yang Dipinang Lelaki Lain”, was released via the Spotify music platform. Sasina UI has been creating for 27 years, consistently presenting emotional poetry in the form of songs with evocative melodies.
In this EP, Sasina released three songs with themes of love conflict, tragedy, and an individual’s emotional journey in facing maturity. The two songs from the EP are inspired by the complicated love story between the legendary couple, Ken Dedes and Ken Arok. The process of converting the stories of these two characters into the form of musical poetry makes it easier for modern listeners to enjoy classical literary works in a more refreshing way.
The song entitled “Dari Seorang Istri yang Dipinang Lelaki Lain” was written from the perspective of Ken Dedes who was forced to marry another man, namely ANGKAL Ametung. Meanwhile, the song “Tak Dapat Kulukiskan Lautan Hati” describes the complexity of Ken Dedes’ turbulent love, who had to witness the tragic fate of his lover, Ken Arok. Another song, entitled “Yang Ada di Bilik Jantungku”, describes a person’s fears when growing up.
Alda Ekanael Lamba, Chair of Sasina and creator of the EP’s arrangements, said, “After a long process, this EP has finally been released. Seeing the very busy preparations, I am satisfied with the release of these three songs. We hope that listeners and lovers of Sasina’s songs will enjoy listening to these three songs and will always support Sasina so that it continues to create and is known to the wider community. Always look forward to beautiful works from Sasina!”
Apart from that, Sasina also released music videos for the three songs via Sasina’s YouTube channel. Each music video includes visuals that reinforce the meaning and emotion of the lyrical lines in this latest EP. Previously, the EP and the music video were shown at Sasina’s concert which was held at the Auditorium of Building IX FIB UI on November 5th 2023. The concert entitled “Bungah Marani” was a showcase of Sasina’s songs accompanied by a drama performance in three acts.
Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, FIB UI, Dr. Untung Yuwono was one of the people involved in the founding of Sasina. In 1993, he, together with Asep Herna and M. Hasan, Chairman of IKSI at that time, formed Sasina Volume 1, which was previously called the Music and Vocal Bureau (BMV). On September 16th 1996, Sasina was officially declared through a solo concert at the FIB UI Building IV Auditorium. According to Dr. Untung, Sasina Volume 1’s dream of preserving poetry musical groups from generation to generation has been achieved with the release of the Sasina EP.
“Sasina is getting more exciting and awesome! I sometimes open Sasina’s account on YouTube and Spotify to enjoy Sasina’s recordings there. Now, IKSI continues to be great at preserving Sasina from generation to generation and continues to develop. Starting from recordings on old, very noisy recording tapes and performing with cheap guitars and drums borrowed from the Faculty in 1993, to recordings in studios and appearances on YouTube and Spotify that keep up with current times. Very proud. Sasina has become a special part of IKSI,” said Dr. Untung.
Sasina’s success in weaving in-depth narratives through songs confirmed its position as a pioneer of poetry musicalization groups among students. Dozens of active students and alumni of the Indonesian Literature study program at FIB UI were actively involved in the process of making the EP “Dari Seorang Istri yang Dipinang Lelaki Lain”. Among them, Meutia Swarna Maharani and Justine Putra Mahariady as lyricists; Alda Ekanael Lamba and Lintang Caesaria Kurniasih as notation and chord creators; as well as Rangga Ekaprasetya and Danang Estu Pamungkas as Producers.
Furthermore, Sasina’s vocalists in this EP are Lintang Caesaria Kurniasih, Yona Olivia Sarnauli Hutajulu, Ayu Devina Aminuddin, Ailsya Ayu Janitra, Shania Valencia Malson, Amalia Mawardani, and Maria Christina Anandya Prijandoko; the drummer and percussionist is Yosua Angga Putra; acoustic guitar players are Rangga Ekaprasetya, Karina Alya Putri Kartiko, Alda Ekanael Lamba, and Jessie Renata Angelique; bass player is Alda Ekanael Lamba; the saxophonist is Prabu Wiwaha Lambri; and the piano player is Theresella Mercy Wibowo. Also managing this EP are Umi Zakiyatun Khasanah, Nindita Utami Dewanti, Thalia Nuha Arina, Cynthia Jesslyn Florensia, and Rohmatun Khasanah.
The EP “Dari Seorang Istri yang Dipinang Lelaki Lain” can be enjoyed on Spotify via the link https://open.spotify.com/album/6x0qGkg065EBQNOfTtaSgs?si=UEahish1RCegi98ERvcdf. Meanwhile the music video “Dari Seorang Istri yang Dipinang Lelaki Lain”, “Tak Dapat Kulukiskan Lautan Hati”, and “Yang Ada di Bilik Jantungku ” can be accessed via the YouTube account “Sasina IKSI UI” or the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@SasinaIKSIUI.
