Wage Rudolf Soepratman is the Great Hero of the author of Indonesia national anthem.

Born on
Monday, 9 March 1903 in Jatinegara Jakarta believe in Islam and not followed the political
organization. His father named Senen, a sergeant in Battalion VIII. Mothered by his brother in-laws
of WM Van Eldik (Sastromihardjo) he had learnt pluck guitar and fiddle violin.

In 1914, Soepratman follow Roekijem to Makassar. Over there, he sent to school and financed by
Roekijem husband named Willem Van Eldik. Soepratman study Dutch language in night school
during 3 years then continued it to Normaalschool. He go to an education school in Makasar and
when he 20 years, he is lifted as a teacher in Angka 2 School. Two years after, he get Klein
Ambtenaar certificate.

When he live in Makassar, Supratman had studied music from his brother in-laws named Willem Van
Eldik, so that he clever to played violin and then he can compose song. When living in Jakarta, once
upon a time he read a composition in Timbul magazine. The composition writer invited the Indonesia
music experts to create the national anthem.

In October 1928 in Jakarta, there was passed off a Youngster Congress. The congress had borne
‘Sumpah Pemuda’. At congress closing night, on 28 Octobers 1928, Supratman sound off his creation
song instrumentally in front of the public participant. At that time is for the first time of Great
Indonesia song is echoed publicly. All which presents is surprised to hear it. Swiftly the song had
known among national movement. If the political organization performed a congress, hence Great
Indonesia song is always warbled. The song is materialization of association desire to independence.

He ever built music group which stream jazz called Black and white until 1924. He went to Surabaya
and Bandung become newspaper correspondence of “Kaoem Moeda”.

By 28 Octobers 1928, performed a Second Youngster Congress with result of young man oath that
confessed one fatherland, one nation, one Indonesians. In that congress had warbled by Great
Indonesia song and accompanied by friction of WR Soepratman violin.

7th Augusts 1938, (Sunday) Indonesia Scout had sung Rising Indonesia song in NIROM Embong
Malang Street Surabaya. Passed away in Mangga Street 21 Surabaya

The effect of create the Great Indonesia song, he always hunted by the side of Dutch Indies Police
and caused fall sick in Surabaya. Because his last creation song “Matahari Terbit” in the early of 7
Augusts 1938, he is caught when he broadcasting the song with the guides in NIROM Embong
Malang street, Surabaya and jailed in Kalisosok Surabaya, and then die in 17 Augusts 1938 on
Wednesdays buried in Kapasan graveyard.

Some of his creation songs:

The Nationality of Great Indonesia (Indonesia Raya)

Bendera kita merah putih

Matahari Terbit

Ibu Kita Kartini

Mars Kepandoen Bangsa Indonesia