Tombo Ati
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tombo Ati is a traditional Javanese song composed by Sunan Bonang, one of Wali Sanga. This song is based one of famous hadith of prophet Muhammad. The song is about a Muslim's ways of gaining spiritual peace and tranquility, through prayer, reciting the Qu'ran and fasting. This song is still popular today: it is taught at pesantrens, and has been sung, recorded and released by several Indonesian singers.
Contents |
[edit] Origin
 |
This section may stray from the topic of the article. Please help improve this section or discuss this issue on the talk page. (help) |
Sunan Bonang, whose real name was Raden Maulana Makdum Ibrahim, was born in Tuban, East Java in 1495[1]. He is a descendant of Majapahit nobility in Tuban. His family was respected and familiar with Javanese. tradition and was among the first to convert to Islam. After becoming a prominent ulama, he tried to make ordinary Javanese familiar with Islam. He achieved it through art.
He changed traditional Javanese songs, which had been heavily influenced by Hindu philosophy, and incorporated Islamic thought. He also employed gamelan as medium of Islamic learning. One of his famous songs is Tombo Ati, which literally mean 'Cures of the Heart'.
[edit] Lyric
Tombo Ati's lyrics are based on a popular hadith of prophet Muhammad about five ways of gaining spiritual peace and tranquility. This song was written in vernacular Javanese languages. There are several modern adaptations, but a common version is:
|
Javanese text
|
English Translation
|
One of the key messages in this song is that in order to gain spiritual peace, someone must follow the guidance of God.
[edit] Popularity
Five centuries after its composition, this song is still one of the most popular traditional Javanese songs. Its popularity also spread to mostly Muslim Indonesian region such as Sumatra. [2] Islamic song contests, in Indonesia often use it as mandatory song. [3] Due to its spiritual contents, pesantrens often teach it, particularly in traditional inland parts of Java. [4]
Indonesian singer has many times re-released it as modern religious song, often accomopanied with Indonesian translation. One of the latest adaptations, on the album 'Istighfar' by Opick, has sold at least 180,000 copies.[5] Another adaptation, by Emha Ainun Nadjib, is also famous. This song is especially popular during the holy month of Ramadan. [6]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Berdakwah dengan Tembang 'Tombo Ati'. Republika. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
- ^ 130 Ribu Siswa Ikut Pesantren Ramadhan. Cahaya Ramadhan. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
- ^ Alunan Nada Islami. Pikiran Rakyat. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
- ^ Kiyai, Anekdot, Sastra dan Puisi. Republika. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
- ^ "Tombo Ati" Meledak. Suara merdeka. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
- ^ Dari Musik Rock ke Tombo Ati. Republika. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.
