Aims and objectives
The recording industry entered Indonesia (known then as the Dutch East Indies) when Westerners introduced the technology for commercial purposes. It grew significantly before independence, forming the foundation for a local industry. After independence, much of this history was lost or marginalised due to damage, neglect and political factors, including the significant roles of Chinese, Arab and Dutch communities.
Haryadi Suadi (1939–2016), an artist, lecturer and researcher, began collecting materials on pre-independence Indonesian popular culture in the 1960s. His collection supported three historical drafts on Indonesia’s early music industry—one published, two unpublished—and includes materials on art, politics, religion and literature. This project focuses on mapping items related to Indonesia’s pre-independence music industry, offering insights into how it shaped early modern Indonesian culture. It also lays the groundwork for the collection’s future digital preservation, as its current condition poses significant risks.
