The music of Keroncong…

The music of Indonesia can be likened to its many islands and people: vast and varied, with a tremendous sense of languid yearning, especially in terms of vocals and song.

Keroncong or kronchong is a music genre that originated as a result of the period of European influence which began in 1509, when the Portuguese first established trading routes seeking a monopoly of the lucrative spice trade. Some say that keroncong music came from the communities of freed Portuguese slaves in the 16th century.

Aside from Western thought, the Europeans brought with them musical instruments. The small keroncong guitar is believed to have been derived from the Portuguese braguinha, also sharing its root with the Hawaiian ukulele.

What is most notable about the arrangement of keroncong music is the interlocking of the instruments used, not unlike an ethnic gamelan orchestration. Also, the background rhythm runs faster than the melody which is provided by the slower vocals. Instruments used in a keroncong performance usually includes two ukuleles (which are called “cak” and “cuk”), a cello, a guitar, a bass and also traditional angklung.

On Sri Mahligai

Sri Mahligai is a Singapore-based Malay music ensemble with an extensive repertoire of Malay traditional music ranging from Dondang Sayang to Inang, Middle Eastern Samrah and Masri to the lively Joget and boisterous Ronggeng.

Comprising of young musicians, Sri Mahligai has rendered its services to projects by various performing arts societies and government agencies.

Sri Mahligai has programmes to suit any occasion such as educational programmes, wedding dinner & functions, cultural events, dance and theatre accompaniment and radio and television presentations.