Lokananta

Lokananta is Indonesia's first record label, established on October 29, 1956, in Surakarta, Central Java. Owned by the state-owned printing agency Percetakan Negara Republik Indonesia, Lokananta has a vast collection of over 40,000 recordings, including 5,200 commercial labels and 20,000 without covers. The label is renowned for its extensive archive of ethnic/folk music from across Indonesia, as well as old Indonesian pop songs, keroncong, gamelan orchestras (Javanese, Balinese, Sundanese, and Batak), speeches by Indonesia's first president Sukarno, and the original version of the national anthem. Lokananta has played a significant role in introducing many Indonesian performers to the world, including Gesang (with his famous "Bengawan Solo"), Waljinah ("Walang Kekek"), Titiek Puspa, Bing Slamet, and Sam Saimun. The label's name, "Lokananta," means "gamelan from heaven" and was suggested by R. Maladi, the head of RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia) at the time. Initially, Lokananta functioned as a transcription service for RRI radio stations and produced phonograph records and audio cassettes for broadcast. It also had advanced equipment for its time, including a Trident Series 80B mixer and UREI 801 speakers. After facing bankruptcy in 2001, the label has focused on renovating its image by remastering its archives into CDs, DVDs, and WAV files and introducing new musical genres. Currently, it operates with a small team of 19 employees and generates income through renting futsal space created three years ago. Lokananta's historical significance extends beyond music; during the controversy over the song "Rasa Sayange" between Indonesia and Malaysia in 1962, Lokananta's recording proved ...