The Story Behind the Song 'Anak Menteng', Created by Tio Pakusadewo on a Truck Near Taman Kodok

Kapanlagi.com - The soap opera Anak Menteng, which aired on ANTV in 1995, became an iconic viewing experience for the 90s generation. Not only does it depict the lives of young people from a lower-class background in Menteng, but it also features a distinctive soundtrack titled Anak Menteng. This song was composed by the director, Tio Pakusadewo.

The soap opera Anak Menteng starred well-known actors of the time, such as Bucek Depp, Unique Priscilla, Mandy Simpson, Astrid Hilliard, and Cumplung Jambul, also known as Encup. Tio revealed that this soap opera was inspired by the long history of the Menteng area, which once served as a center for the national movement.

"Anak Menteng has been a mover for many things since before independence. The beginning of the nationalist movement started with the children of Menteng," said Tio Pakusadewo to Kapanlagi.com.

1. The Story of the Children from Menteng Pulo

Instead of telling the life of children from wealthy families, this soap opera actually highlights the stories of children from Menteng Pulo, Menteng Atas, and Menteng Bawah.

"That's why the story is about high school kids, but not from the privileged class, instead from Menteng Pulo, Menteng Atas, Menteng Bawah, the lower class of Menteng," he said.

2. Tio Becomes the Creator of the Soundtrack

In addition to being the director, Tio is also involved in creating the soundtrack for this soap opera. He shared an interesting story about how the song Anak Menteng was created.

The song just came to him. After getting the right rhythm, he immediately translated it into lyrics.

"I was composing on a truck back then next to Taman Kodok," he revealed.

"Coincidentally, those rhythms came to my mind. Then I translated them into lyrics. That’s how the song was made," he added.

3. Album Contains Songs from Slank

The soundtrack of Anak Menteng not only serves as the theme song for the soap opera but also features in the OST album of Anak Menteng. This album is a compilation of songs from Slank taken from their first to fifth albums. This soap opera also provided a chance for the late Ryan Hidayat to try his hand at directing.

"I created the story, I made the songs, I developed the characters, I directed it. And I also gave the late Ryan Hidayat the opportunity for the first three episodes," he said.

(kpl/far/dyn)