RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A dedicated effort to preserve the works of Banyumas-born composer, R. Soetedjo Poerwodibroto received high-level government backing following a consultative meeting between Minister of Culture Fadli Zon and the composer’s family on Friday, February 20, 2026.

During the discussion held at the Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta, Minister Fadli emphasized that the musician from Central Java played a vital role in shaping the Indonesian music landscape during the early independence era. This collaboration seeks to formalize the documentation of R Soetedjo’s career and compositions, acknowledging his influence as a cornerstone of the nation’s cultural and orchestral history.

Minister Fadli praised the family's dedication to gathering historical data and archives related to the composer's life and career. "I appreciate the family's efforts in tracing and completing his historical data. This is important as part of the documentation of national music history," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Regarding the family’s proposal to establish a dedicated museum in Purwokerto, the Minister encouraged them to follow formal government procedures. "Regarding the museum plan in Purwokerto, please submit it officially so that we can follow up according to the applicable mechanisms," he added.

Raden Soetedja Poerwodibroto, popularly known as R. Soetedjo, was a prominent composer who served at Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in Purwokerto and Jakarta during the early independence era. During the meeting, the family highlighted his role as a pioneer of Indonesian orchestras and reintroduced his iconic works, such as "Tidurlah Intan" and "Di Tepinya Sungai Serayu."

The composer's grandson, Ario Prakoso, noted that while many Indonesians recognize the songs, the man behind the music often remains in the shadows. "We want to reintroduce R. Soetedjo as one of the pioneers of Indonesian music. Many know his songs, but they do not necessarily know his contribution to national music history," Ario remarked.

Artika, another grandchild, shared that the family has meticulously collected archives of his education, career history, and documentation from his time leading the Jakarta Studio Orchestra. The family also proposed transforming the existing R. Soetedjo Arts Building in Purwokerto into a multifunctional space for documentation and arts education.

The family expressed its hope that revitalizing the building will breathe new life into the local arts scene, similar to the revival of other historic music sites. "The building already exists, but it is not functioning optimally. If it can be revived like Lokananta, it will certainly have an impact on the community," Artika said, referring to the facility currently managed by the local government.

The Ministry of Culture remains committed to supporting the preservation of national music history through collaborations between the central government, local authorities, and the community. By documenting the lives of pioneers like R. Soetedjo, the Ministry aims to ensure that Indonesia's rich artistic legacy is accessible to future generations. ***