Waldjinah

Waldjinah (born 7 November 1945) is an Indonesian traditional singer, who known as the "Queen of Kroncong". She is most known for the song Walang Kekek, which made Javanese kroncong music known throughout Indonesia. She has also worked with other Indonesian artists, including Gesang Martohartono and Ismail Marzuki.

Early life and career Waldjinah was born in Surakarta, Indonesia, on 7 November 1945 as the tenth child of her family. Her mother sold food in a market and her father worked as a painter in a batik factory. Waldjinah was inspired to become a singer from listening to traditional Javanese songs at the factory where her father worked. During her high school years, she became interested in keroncong music.

In 1958, Waldjinah entered a singing competition held by the Radio Republik Indonesia radio station in Surakarta. After winning the competition, her professional career began and she became a celebrity.

Personal life

Waldjinah's first husband managed her own career as well as her backing band, Orkes Keroncong Bintang Surakarta. He died in 1985. She met her second husband four years later, who also worked as her manager. She has five children, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Discography

Ratu Kembang Katjang (1967, Lokananta) Putri Solo Vol. 1 (1967, Elshinta) Putri Gunung Vol. 2 (1968, Elshinta) Ngelam-Lami (1968, Lokananta) Walang Kekek (1968, Elshinta) Langgam Jawa Terpopuler (1983, Fajar) Langgam Jawa (1993, Nirwana) Ratu Jawa (2004, Rice)