KAHITNA: Their Love Stories Through the Eyes of Gen Z

Kahitna is a music group from Bandung, Indonesia, formed on June 24, 1986. This music group is spearheaded by Yovie Widianto (piano). Although often carrying the theme of love in its lyrics, Kahitna is able to blend elements of jazz, pop, fusion, Latin, and even ethnic music into a captivating concoction. (Wikipedia).     Kahitna is one of the many legendary music groups I like the most. But seriously, my level of 'kebucinan' (obsessive devotion/simping) for these amazing, love-filled 'uncles' feels beyond help and incurable. Spearheaded by Yovie Widianto, this music group, which has been creating for over thirty years, is still loved and sought after by all Indonesians. Not just the older generation, but young people too. What exactly is their secret?     Mmm, it seems that it's because Kahitna's works are always packaged in a way that relates to our lives. While carrying themes of love and heartbreak, Kahitna doesn't always show the sappy side of these two things. What I can grasp, in fact, is their aesthetic/beautiful side. Yovie Widianto, as the main pioneer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and keyboardist of Kahitna, has successfully crafted good, great, simple, yet impactful works. And because they are also relevant to the diverse stories we experience daily, it's natural that Kahitna's songs are quickly and easily accepted.     “Cerita Cinta” (Love Story) is one of Kahitna's many songs. Between falling in love and heartbreak, everything is in a balanced composition with them. Are you falling in love? Express it through the song “Cantik” (Beautiful), or “Saat Kunyatakan Cinta” (When I Declare Love). Just broke up? What was the reason? Love with different beliefs? Just sing “Sesungguhnyaaa, aku kangen kamuuu, dimana dirimu, aku enggak ngerti” (Truly, I miss you, where are you, I don't understand) (Excerpt from Kahitna's song, “Engga Ngerti” - Don't Understand). Hard to move on? There's “Mantan Terindah” (Most Beautiful Ex) which so honestly says that what the ex did (back then) was truly beautiful, making it hard to forget. Not falling in love, not just broken up either, but feeling the pain of loving alone? Feel free to slowly say goodbye to them through the song “Cinta Sendiri” (Love Alone): “Biar aku yang pergi, bila tak juga pasti, adakah selama ini,, aku cinta sendiri...” (Let me go, if it's still not certain, have I been loving alone all this time...) Or are you secretly admiring someone? Convey your hopes through “Andai Dia Tahu” (If Only She Knew). With Kahitna, your love story will become very meaningful.     Kahitna, songs of love and heartbreak, are a definite unity and have become their “personal branding”/trademark. But hold on, don't think Kahitna is a “super pop” music group that strictly follows external music trends. In fact, if you pay attention, there are several Kahitna songs that also carry ethnic/traditional music themes, such as “Lajeungan” (a regional song in Madurese language) and “Dirantau” (In Exile). Both songs feature ethnic music elements as ornamentation. Don't believe it? Feel free to listen for yourself. Furthermore, Kahitna is also a “good user of Indonesian language.” Just look at all the lyrics in their songs. All poetic, and the grammar is incredibly beautiful. So, it was no mistake that at that time (2019), I had the opportunity to witness the live performance of those legendary yet romantic 'uncles' at the peak event of Bulan Bahasa (Language Month) organized by the Indonesian Language Development Agency at the Bidakara Hotel Jakarta.     Kahitna, in the eyes of someone who can be called “Gen Z” like me, is not just a solid music group, but also one that always maintains good relationships and genuinely cares for its fans. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), I am one of those lucky fans; whose comments are often noticed by Kahitna directly, as well as by Mas Yovie himself. They truly don't discriminate; all fans are treated equally and fairly. Unfortunately, for the past year, Kahitna and all its Soulmates (fans) have experienced the most profound heartbreak after the passing of Karlo Saba, one of Kahitna's vocalists who also possessed a strong vocal character. And if we look at every Instagram post by Kahitna's members, they always use the hashtag “selamanya bersembilan” (forever nine), which further strengthens the impression that Kahitna is a very solid group with a very high sense of family. So, I love them even more. Speaking of Kahitna's success, it certainly didn't happen by itself. Yovie Widianto, as the main pioneer of this music group, is the most influential person, making Kahitna timeless and its songs continuously loved by the Soulmates (Kahitna's fans), and also by the Indonesian people in general. Yovie Widianto, the genius musician who has conveyed to all of us through hundreds, even thousands, of his works, that we can create, even by starting only from simple things, small things that are seen, felt, inhaled, and heard around us. Try to notice Kahitna's songs; all of them stem from simple things: falling in love, heartbreak. But these two things can become something beautiful and diverse in color in the hands of the right person.     In conclusion: Yovie Widianto has taught us all that when we want to start a work, we can begin with something very simple. The closer a work is to our lives, the faster it will be accepted and loved by its enthusiasts. My hope for the future, especially for Kahitna, even though there are only eight members now, is that Kahitna can maintain its solidarity, be loved even more by fans, and become active in creating again. BTW, it was really sad when they released the remake of “Sejauh Dua Benua” (As Far as Two Continents), which was originally performed by Arsy Widianto and Brisia Jody; why did Mas Karlo's voice have to be in there, huhuhu? Even though the song's tempo was made fast, it's still sad if the ending is like that. Don't you agree?