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The Story of Titiek Puspa Who Was Once Forbidden by President Sukarno to Wear a Skirt While Singing at the Palace

The Story of Titiek Puspa Who Was Once Forbidden by President Sukarno to Wear a Skirt While Singing at the Palace

Celebrity Death

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The Story of Titiek Puspa Who Was Once Forbidden by President Sukarno to Wear a Skirt While Singing at the Palace

Titiek Puspa passed away at the age of 87 on Thursday (10/4) at Medistra Hospital Jakarta. The name Titiek Puspa is actually not the real name of the singer of the song Kupu-Kupu Malam. Her real name is Sudarwati. So what is the origin of the name Titiek Puspa that made her famous until the end of her life?

The name Titiek Puspa was indeed given by President Sukarno. In the 1950s, Titiek Puspa won a singing competition at Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in Semarang.

Titiek Puspa's performance caught the attention of Sjaiful Bachri from the Jakarta Symphony Orchestra, who then invited her to join as a permanent singer. Since then, Titiek often performed at various state events, including at the State Palace.

Her captivating appearance and talent impressed President Sukarno. On one occasion, Sukarno called her directly and gave her a new stage name: Titiek Puspa.

Check out the photos below to read other stories of the late artist with several Indonesian Presidents, adapted from an interview Titiek gave to Liputan6.com.

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Titiek Puspa, as called by President Soekarno, means that Puspa signifies a flower that is fragrant and Titiek represents a very distinctive element of Indonesian culture.        

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"(Bung Karno said) I want to see Titiek Puspa, bring her here. Then, I was still at RRI, and suddenly I was called by the President. Oh what is this, I was shocked. What is going on? Anyway, I have to go there, right?" Titiek Puspa reminisced about her meeting with President Soekarno. Titiek was 23 years old at that time.

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In complying with President Soekarno's invitation, Titiek Puspa was prohibited from wearing a skirt. Titiek then transformed her appearance with a jarik (traditional cloth/wastra). Her appearance at that time was roughly as seen in the photo.

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“So yes (appear) as it is, then when I got there (Bung Karno said): Oh yes, this is it Titiek Puspa. Wow, smart using a jarik, who is wearing it? (Wow, smart wearing a jarit, who is putting it on?),” she revealed.

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Still fresh in her memory when President Sukarno praised her for being skilled at singing. Titiek responded modestly, "I can only sing, not skilled yet."

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“But when I spoke that, I didn’t dare to look at his face. That face was like shining jeng jeng jeng jeng! That’s what you call charisma, innalillahi. I forgot just like that,” Titiek Puspa described.

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From one president to another, Titiek Puspa is known as a singer who is close to the number one person in this country.

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For example, the gesture of familiarity was shown by Titiek to President Jokowi during the National Music Day celebration in 2017.

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Titiek Puspa attended a thanksgiving event held by the 6th President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), in mid-March 2025 before passing away.

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No one expected that Titiek Puspa has now left us forever. Some time ago, she had a reunion with senior Indonesian singers. She still looked healthy and cheerful.