VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Voice of Indonesia presents keroncong songs by Bram Aceh. The song entitled Mawar Sekuntum is the original keroncong song. Mawar Sekuntum describes a beautiful woman. The lyrics in the song are written using poetic words : “Bilakah kuncup mawar indah mekar, lama sudah aku menanti ingin memetik sekuntum. Dikala cahya senja kemerah-merahan tertiup angin pasang merayu kesuma...” (When will the beautiful roses bloom, I'll wait for patiently, the time to pick it... in the light of dusk etc..) The original keroncong songs Mawar Sekuntum has also been sung by many singers, including Bram Aceh. The singer has a strong vocal character. His ability to sing various genders of song, especially keroncong songs has been known all over the archipelago even in some neighboring countries. Bram Aceh was also known as “the Father of Indonesian Keroncong”.

The song “Di Bawah Sinar Bulan Purnama” tells us about how beautiful of the night when the full moon shines. The beauty can even remove the feeling of sadness or misery. The song “Di Bawah Sinar Bulan Purnama” was composed by R. Maladi, former Minister of Information and State Minister of Youth and Sports in the 60s era. Listener, Bram Aceh was born in Banda Aceh, on March 4th 1913 with the real name of Abraham Titaley. Since he was born and grew up there, Bram was eventually known as Bram Aceh.

Bram Aceh’s career in Indonesian keroncong music began when he moved to Jakarta in 1930s. At that time, Bram became a keroncong singer at Pasar Gambir, a night market originally called Koninginnedag or the Queen's Day, which was held to honor and celebrate the coronation of the Dutch Queen Wilhemina. In 1934, Bram managed to make his first vinyl record. In 1955, Bram Aceh won the Keroncong Jakarta Raya contest. Then, Bram Aceh often appeared in various keroncong performances in tourism attractions and some big hotels in Jakarta. Besides Indonesia, Bram Aceh also had time to sing in Tong Tong Night Market, Den Haag, Netherlands in 1981 and 1982. Then on May 8th, 2001, Bram Aceh passed away in Jakarta due to the age factor. However, his talent and singing habits are revealed to his grandchildren who follow his footsteps in the music world, such as Harvey Malaiholo, Irma June, and Glenn Fredly.