Gesang Martohartono born in the Kemlayan village, Surakarta, Central Java, October 1, 1917 from the couple's marriage Martodiharjo batik entrepreneurs from his second wife. Gesang is a child of ten brothers.
Small time, Gesang have name is Sutardi. Gesang in Javanese "kromo inggil" means life. Sutadi-sickly as a child. That is why he then changed his name to Gesang Martohartono to describe the expectations of parents who want to continue living (Gesang in Javanese). Hope was granted because it is clear Gesang could still reach the age of 92 years.
Gesang was originally not a songwriter. Formerly, he was just a singer of songs for the event and party keroncong petty in the city of Solo. He has also created a few songs, such as the World Wheel Keroncong, Keroncong the Orphanage, and Sweep Hand, during World War II. Unfortunately, these three songs are less acclaim from the public.
At the age of 23 years, circa 1940, Gesang create the song "Bengawan Solo" when she was hanging out along the longest river on the island of Java. He was so amazed by the existence of the stream. Unlike today's songwriter,, Gesang it took long enough to make the entire lyrics of the song 'Bengawan Solo'. Almost six months the time needed to complete the lyrics of the song is so legendary. The song eventually became very popular. No fewer than 16 language versions of the song translated or translated, including Britain, Japan, China, France, etc..
In Japan, the song was very popular. In fact, a wide screen movie in Japan also uses the song 'Bengawan Solo' in the background.
Not only that, to appreciate against the development of music services keroncong Gesang, in 1983, Japan established the Gesang Park near Bengawan Solo . This park is managed and funded by Gesang Fund, a nonprofit organization established specifically for Gesang in Japan.
A year after creating Bengawan Solo, Gesang decided to marry a woman named Waliyah. After 22 years of never married, in 1963 they divorced. Waliyah not give Gesang descent.
In 1942, Gesang follow itinerant theater called Star Surabaya, led by Fred Young. He became a singer in the theater, any place round the turn of staging.
In 1963, thanks to its booming of Bengawan Solo song, Gesang known as the great artist that he was invited to make a visit to the People's Republic of China and North Korea together with the mission of Indonesian art.
Then in 1971, to commemorate the great artist services, a number of groups of artists who take shelter under a safari Golkar Party to make a show themed "Night Bing Slamet and Gesang" at Taman Ismail Marzuki.
He also created the same song "Wheels Keroncong World", "Keroncong Roda Dunia (Keroncong The Orphanage)", and "Keroncong si Piatu" and Sapu Tangan (Sweep Hand)". However, three songs yanng invented around the 1940s were far less popular than 'Bengawan Solo'. Other songs are quite popular creations is the "Jembatan Merah (Red Bridge)".
Because of his services, the government of Solo lifted Gesang as class II Model Town Residents who signed Kusnandar mayor at that time. Not only there, Gesang also received an award for a presidential decree and ministerial decisions. He also received a badge, a plaque, and money Tabanas Rp. 25 thousand.
In 1978, Gesang also received an award from the Organisation for Industrian and Spiritual Culturan Advancemen (OISCA).
Then Gesang released an album titled Keroncong Asli Gesang recording produced by PT Gema Nada Pertiwi (GMP) in Jakarta in 2002. A year later, Gesang get a gift Permata Award from Permata Bank as the man who has a major contribution to the profession is practiced. Gesang also received a special award category of The Legend of Anugerah Music Indonesia (AMI) Samsung Award 2004.
In 2005, Gesang selected as the only artist who won the Special Award For A Lifetime Achievement in Music Award ceremony in Bali 1st 2005. Award given by the Bali International Music Award (BIMA) for his work is legendary.
Although his work was already well known, Gesang not stop working. He also created a song "Caping Gunung (caping Mountain)" composed by him in 1975. This song is the last song that Gesang created.
In 2007, Gesang hospitalized in PKU Solo and prostate surgery. In January 2010, Gesang was hospitalized again, not long after Gesang home.
Furthermore, Gesang was hospitalized Wednesday, May 13 due to respiratory and urinary infections womb. Sunday, May 16 RSU Solo Gesang admission to the ICU due to decreased blood pressure. Tuesday, May 18 Gesang rumored dead, but the news was wrong.
Then, two days later, Thursday, May 20 at 18:07 am Gesang last breath. Good way the maestro.
