Lawanlah! (Fight!)

Dendang Kampungan (DK/Javanese lit. parochial song) is a music group formed by Taring Padi in 2000, two years after the collective of art workers was established in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In addition to using visual art, Taring Padi recognises that music and performing arts are powerful tools for conveying and voicing ideas, social realities, and issues of injustice. Music is also easily accepted and understood by the public. Furthermore, crafting words into song lyrics is crucial for conveying these messages and issues, serving as a medium for political education and mobilisation.

The music of Dendang Kampungan (DK) is heavily inspired by the struggles of the underprivileged and oppressed in their pursuit of a better life. DK’s diverse songs are particularly inspired by and respond to the social realities in Indonesia, but they also resonate with the similar struggles around the world: against repressive states, corruption, the deprivation of people’s rights, unfair systems, and policies that sacrifice the public for the benefit for the selected few.

DK’s music has been developed independently, with a liberating, do-it-yourself spirit, allowing for music of any genre, including folk, reggae, and dangdut (a popular Indonesian music genre that blends traditional local sounds with Hindustani, Arabic, and Western rock influences).

DK’s philosophy is that any place can be a stage. Packaged with various artistic components, this stage is also interpreted as a foundation for voicing ideas and criticism, and addressing concerns about the country’s complex situations and issues. DK has performed their music at university campuses, exhibition openings, Indigenous Peoples’ Day events, solidarity performances in conflict areas such as Kulon Progo and Porong, Sidoarjo, and demonstrations with other progressive alliances.

This playlist comprises fourteen songs from three albums:

Tracklist:

Album: Dendang Kampungan (2003)

1. Revolusi Budaya Memanggil Kita (Cultural Revolution is Calling Us)
2. Belajar Sama sama (Learning Together), with Yayak Yatmaka
3. Lawanlah (Fight!)

Album: Masih Kerja (Still Working) (2009)

1. Masih Kerja (Still Working)
2. Anak Jaman (Children of Generation), with Jeffar Lumban Gaol
3. Ayo Kerja (Let's Work)
4. Mentari (The Sun), with Jeffar Lumban Gaol
5. Buang Mimpi Iblismu (Cast Away Your Decadent Ideas)

Album: Anti Kekerasan (Anti Violence) (2023)

1. Rebut tanah kita (Reclaim Our Land)
2. Rembang Melawan (Rembang Fighting)
3. Pembohong (Liar)
4. Sama Kenyang (Solidarity and Equality), with Yayak Yatmaka
5. Kambing Hitam (Scapegoat)
6. Anti Kekerasan (Anti Violence)