JAKARTA (October 20, 2022) - Ardha Krisna Pratama's golden voice echoed into every corner of the room.  The Javanese song that he sang caught the ears of the invited guests from Asia-Pacific. The delegates who attended were certainly not familiar with Indonesian song, even in Javanese.

 

However, the twists of Java and the melodious strains of Ardha's voice, were able to hypnotize the audience to enjoy the song titled "Ojo Dibandingke" (Do not Compare). Accompanied by music from Javanese gamelan, this child with visual sensory disabilities who is still a junior high school student, is immersed in the appreciation of the song which has recently been viral and sung a lot on various social media platforms.

 

His eyesight may not be perfect, but his soul is able to capture the serene atmosphere inside. "It's great, I feel so happy, I'm proud. I never thought I could be invited to sing a song at an international event like this," said Ardha, laughing, in interviewing session at the Ministry of Social Affairs Head Office, Wednesday evening (19/10).

 

Ardha was invited to perform in the opening session of the High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting on The Final Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (HLIGM-FRPD), in Jakarta.

 

This hybrid event presents as many as 53 delegates from member states of UNESCAP and 9 associate members. The delegates who attended were presented with performances/shows and the work of persons with disabilities throughout Indonesia who assigned and gathered by  the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini.

 

Nani Susilowati (36), Ardha's mother, said that Ardha's appearance to entertain international guests in Jakarta was a request from the Ministry of Social Affairs.  "The Ministry of Social Affairs called us. They want to invite Ardha to sing in front of the invited guests," she said.

 

Hearing the invitation, Ardha, without hesitation, immediately agreed. “I want it because it's an honor.  If there are guests, there will be a bigger event. Ardha will be more enthusiastic to attend.  There is no inferior to him.  I feel proud, because not everyone can be like him," said Nani.

 

Ardha became known to the public after his golden voice was heard by the late Didi Kempot at a celebration which also invited to the same place several years ago.  That moment took him to the recording studio to duet with the singer known as the Godfather of Brokenheart.

 

Since then, the experience of singing from stage to stage he began to live.  Singing in front of international guests, apparently, is nothing new for Ardha.  In August 2022, he was also appointed to entertain international guests at the opening of the Asean Para Games in Solo.

 

 "I was also invited to sing in front of international guests at the Asean Para Games in Solo," he said confidently.  The appearance of the eldest child of the Kristiyanto and Nani couples on an international scale agenda is a manifestation of the involvement of persons with disabilities and the fulfillment of their rights to work and have equal opportunities.

 

The boy, who has been a person with visual sensory disability, since he was born, admitted that he dreams of continuing the works of the late Didi Kempot. He also wants to be an artist someday. "I want to be an artist, to be able to play a musical instrument," he said.

 

His talent was known by his grandfather when he often played “klotekan”, banging the table which produces a certain rhythm. His grandpa said that Ardha was talented. “Actually, I was just banging the table. I just hit it. Then, I asked to buy "ketipung" (small drum in the gamelan ensemble)," he told how he got support from his family.

 

Besides his ability to play ketipung, he is now learning to play the guitar. Meanwhile, in school, the boy who attends Special School A Yayasan Anak-anak Tuna (YAT) in Klaten, admitted that he was able to follow the lessons smoothly, even though he was ridiculed several times for his ability to learn.

 

"Hey, what can the blind do? Can you do math?" he said, imitating someone else's words, and then he answered, "Yes, of course. Although I am blind, I can do it, too. I can learn, sing, and play music,” he said.

 

His achievements in art and school have proven that blindness is not an obstacle to being able to do nothing.  His motivation and high self-confidence should be used as an example for those around him.

 

He then advised his friends who had the same condition as himself to get rid of the fears that were entrenched in him. 

 

"Sometimes, there are new blind people, who are still worried about run their life later doing, what it will be like. You don't need to be afraid, the important thing is to keep calm, keep going," he said in a motivating tone.


Public Relation of Ministry of Social Affairs