Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
Indonesia 'All Shook Up' Over Singer
Aired May 10, 2003 - 16:50 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: You might be able to call this next woman the Madonna of Jakarta. Let's just say there has not been this much controversy over swiveling hips since Elvis dropped in on "Ed Sullivan." CNN's Atika Shubert reports now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's called the Drill, a hip-swiveling, pelvis-grinding dance that's leaving Indonesians all shook up.
Meet Inul Daratista, the creator of the Drill and the newest singing star of Indonesia's distinctive dangdut music. But it's her gyrations, not her songs, that are scandalizing the world's largest Muslim population.
Audiences love it. Religious leaders hate it. And now, Indonesians are dividing themselves along which side of Inul's swinging hips they stand on.
Dangdut is the music of Indonesia's masses. Derived from Arabic, Indian and Portuguese traditions, dangdut tunes are made to swing your hips to, and even though tight outfits and wiggling rears are standard dangdut fare, some Muslim clerics say Inul's groove goes too far. They want her banned.
Irvan Mansyur comes from a long and distinguished line of dangdut singers, and he can hip thrust with the best of them.
IRVAN MANSYUR, DANGDUT ARTIST (through translator): In a sense, we are also thankful to Inul, because dangdut is booming now. Yes, it is still controversial, but you just can't have dangdut without dancing. We have to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SHUBERT: In fact, Inul has started a new provocative trend in dangdut, and audiences seem all too pleased.
(on camera): On the streets of Jakarta, Inul is the late night entertainment of choice, although admittedly to a mostly male audience.
(voice-over): Petty cab drivers gather round to watch a show called Inul swings. There are hoots and cat calls and lots of Drill jokes. These men are glued to the screen. But ask any of them what they think, and they all condemn Inul.
"What she's doing is so ugly. I mean, it's called the Drill," this man told us. "It's a sinful, provocative act."
But that doesn't stop anybody from watching. And many seem to agree that whatever you think of the Drill, Inul should not be banned from performing.
"If Inul is looking for money, she won't change," this man said, "because dancing is money. How can you tell her not to work?"
In fact, Inul has more work than ever before. She once made 50 cents a song. Now, she's making $2,000 a pop, and $6,000 for every live appearance. No guesses on how much she makes per rotation.
Atika Shubert, CNN, Jakarta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 10, 2003 - 16:50 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: You might be able to call this next woman the Madonna of Jakarta. Let's just say there has not been this much controversy over swiveling hips since Elvis dropped in on "Ed Sullivan." CNN's Atika Shubert reports now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's called the Drill, a hip-swiveling, pelvis-grinding dance that's leaving Indonesians all shook up.
Meet Inul Daratista, the creator of the Drill and the newest singing star of Indonesia's distinctive dangdut music. But it's her gyrations, not her songs, that are scandalizing the world's largest Muslim population.
Audiences love it. Religious leaders hate it. And now, Indonesians are dividing themselves along which side of Inul's swinging hips they stand on.
Dangdut is the music of Indonesia's masses. Derived from Arabic, Indian and Portuguese traditions, dangdut tunes are made to swing your hips to, and even though tight outfits and wiggling rears are standard dangdut fare, some Muslim clerics say Inul's groove goes too far. They want her banned.
Irvan Mansyur comes from a long and distinguished line of dangdut singers, and he can hip thrust with the best of them.
IRVAN MANSYUR, DANGDUT ARTIST (through translator): In a sense, we are also thankful to Inul, because dangdut is booming now. Yes, it is still controversial, but you just can't have dangdut without dancing. We have to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SHUBERT: In fact, Inul has started a new provocative trend in dangdut, and audiences seem all too pleased.
(on camera): On the streets of Jakarta, Inul is the late night entertainment of choice, although admittedly to a mostly male audience.
(voice-over): Petty cab drivers gather round to watch a show called Inul swings. There are hoots and cat calls and lots of Drill jokes. These men are glued to the screen. But ask any of them what they think, and they all condemn Inul.
"What she's doing is so ugly. I mean, it's called the Drill," this man told us. "It's a sinful, provocative act."
But that doesn't stop anybody from watching. And many seem to agree that whatever you think of the Drill, Inul should not be banned from performing.
"If Inul is looking for money, she won't change," this man said, "because dancing is money. How can you tell her not to work?"
In fact, Inul has more work than ever before. She once made 50 cents a song. Now, she's making $2,000 a pop, and $6,000 for every live appearance. No guesses on how much she makes per rotation.
Atika Shubert, CNN, Jakarta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
