President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expresses condolences on Mbah Surip`s death

JAKARTA LIFE'S STYLE. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed condolences over the death on Tuesday of Mbah Surip, an eccentric singer who became famous lately because of his entertaining songs.

"I heard Mbah Surip passed away. I express deep condolences. May his soul rest in peace," the president said at a press conference at the palace.

Mbah Surip (grandpa Surip) who died at the age of 60 was an artist who had dedicated his modest life to art in his own way. "I hope the music community and local administration will help in giving him a worthy burial," Yudhoyono said.

The President said a figure like Mbah Surip had left a legacy of dedication in the field of music.

Mbah Surip with his phenomenal song "Tak Gendong" died on his way to a hospital at around 10.30am.

Mbah Surip whose real name was Urip Ariyanto was born in Mojokerto, East Java, on May 5, 1949.

He once received an award from the Indonesian Museum of Records Museum (MURI) for rendering the longest song ever in Indonesia.

Mbah Surip had played in several films and often appeared on television.

Before becoming an artist he worked in various fields such as oil drilling and precious stone mining and had also gone abroad to make a living.

Dissatified by his achievments, he later tried his luck in Jakarta and joined several artist communities such as Teguh Karya, Aquila, Bulungan and Taman Ismail Marzuki.

Mbah Surip earned fame only recently because of his entertaining Reggae-style songs.

His body is now being laid in state in the house of noted poet and playwright WS Rendra in Depok, West Java, before being buried on Wednesday.

Thousands of people had come to pay their last respects to him. (*ANTARA News)