JAKARTA (Bernama-Antara) – Legendary singer, songwriter, and actress Titiek Puspa breathed her last at the age of 87 in South Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, the Indonesian News Agency (Antara) reported.
“Grandma Titiek Puspa passed away at 4:30 p.m. at Medistra Hospital,” Mia, Puspa’s manager, told ANTARA in a short message here.
In an Instagram post earlier, music observer Stanley Tulung informed that Puspa suffered a stroke and collapsed at a television studio in Jakarta. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Conveying his condolences, Culture Minister Fadli Zon described Puspa as an important figure whose contribution as a singer, songwriter, and artist laid a foundation for Indonesia’s music history.
“Indonesia has lost the figure inseparable from national music development for over six decades. May the Almighty God accept her deeds,” he said in his written remarks.
He added that Puspa’s songs are “embedded in the nation’s collective memory,” and her works have inspired succeeding generations to make their mark on Indonesia’s art stage.
Puspa, whose real name was Sudarwati, was born in Tabalong in Kalimantan on November 1, 1937. Her career, which spanned over 60 years, started after she won a singing competition in Semarang.
She acted in several films such as Karminem (1977), and Apanya Dong (1983). She also performed in several theatre plays.
She was nominated for the Citra Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Ini Kisah Tiga Dara (2016). She also received lifetime achievement awards from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) and Anugerah Musik Indonesia.
Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine named her as one of “The Immortals,” the 25 greatest Indonesian artists, in 2008, recognising her place among the greatest music legends in the country.
The magazine also selected two of her songs, Kupu-Kupu Malam (Night-time Butterflies) and Bing, a homage to famous comedian and actor Bing Slamet, among the 150 best Indonesian songs of all time in 2009.
Puspa was featured in the special postage stamp edition launched by Pos Indonesia and Communication and Informatics Ministry in 2020, along with legendary musicians Chrisye, Gesang, and Gombloh, all of whom have predeceased her.
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