RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia commemorates National Music Day every March 9 as a form of appreciation for the country’s diverse and rich musical heritage.

History of National Music Day

According to the official website of the Ministry of Culture, March 9 is chosen because it coincides with the birth anniversary of Wage Rudolf Supratman, a composer and key figure in Indonesia’s music history.

He is widely known as the creator of Indonesia Raya, which was first introduced to the public in 1928 during the Second Youth Congress in Batavia, now known as Jakarta. The song later became a symbol of unity and the spirit of Indonesia’s struggle for independence.

Chairman of the Indonesian Singers, Songwriters, and Musicians Association (PAPPRI), Tony Wenas, stated during the 2026 National Music Day commemoration at the State Building of Banten Province on Monday, 9 March 2026, that the idea for National Music Day was first initiated by PAPPRI in 1997.

After going through a series of processes, the proposal was officially established through Presidential Decree Number 10 of 2013 by Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Sasando, Traditional Musical Instrument

In addition to remembering the history of national music, the commemoration of National Music Day also serves as a momentum to introduce various traditional musical treasures from different regions of Indonesia.

One of Indonesia’s traditional musical instruments is the Sasando, which originates from Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara and was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia in 2013.

According to the official website of the Rote Ndao Regency Government, the Sasando is a string instrument played by plucking the strings with the fingers, similar to a zither or harp, but with a distinctive shape and sound. Its main structure consists of a bamboo tube fitted with numerous strings, while woven lontar palm leaves surrounding the tube function as a resonator to amplify the sound.

In the Rote community, the Sasando is often played to accompany songs, poetry, and traditional dances. Over time, the instrument has not only been used in traditional performances but has also been adapted for various modern music genres and even developed into an electric version for large-stage performances.

Through the commemoration of National Music Day, the public is expected to further appreciate and preserve Indonesia’s musical heritage, both traditional and modern, so that it can continue to be recognized by future generations.