Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Indonesia-based guest artist Isa Indra Permana, commemorates iconic Indonesian actor, comedian, singer, songwriter, writer, director, and producer Benyamin “Bang Ben” Sueb, who championed Jakarta, Indonesia’s Betawi culture as the star of more than 50 movies and composer of over 300 original songs. On this day in 2018, Jakarta inaugurated Benyamin Sueb Park, a cultural center dedicated to upholding the Betawi heritage to which Sueb devoted so much of his life.
Benyamin Sueb was born on March 5th, 1939 in present-day Jakarta. He first entered the music scene in the 1950s as a member of the “Melody Boys,” a band that drew upon a wide variety of international influences. Sueb later relied on more traditional Betawi musical idioms to write hits including “Nonton Bioskop” (“Watching Movies”) and “Hujan Grimis” (“Drizzle”) and helped to revitalize the gabang kromong style through beloved songs like “Ondel-Ondel” (Giant Puppets).
Sueb’s acting career took off in the early ‘70s, and through the lens of his often playfully comedic films, he is credited with painting a more accurate depiction of Betawi culture. He garnered acclaim for roles in films like “Intan Berduri” (“Thorny Diamond,” 1972) and “Si Doel Anak Modern” (“Doel the Modern Child,” 1976), both of which earned him Best Actor Citra Awards at the Indonesian Film Festival.
In 1990, Benyamin created Ben’s Radio, Indonesia’s only radio station dedicated to Betawi, which continues to play Sueb’s music to this day.
Thank you, Benyamin Sueb, for using music and humor to preserve valuable tradition and culture for generations to come!
