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Anggun was born and raised in Jakarta, and her mother used to rock the future pop star to sleep singing traditional Javanese songs. After recording a children's album at 7 and her first rock album at 12, Anggun did four more hit discs before moving to France. Now, the Sony artist is hitting the world stage with her ethereal blend of sensuous pop exotica. But for favourite holiday places, it's back home for the 26-year-old, who fondly recalls a myth from her mother's hometown: Jogjakarta.
In the middle of the central Java city, a 90-min bus ride from the famed Borobodur temple, stand several majestic trees and the kraton, a historic palace at the heart of an ancient Javanese empire centered on "Jogja." Many townsfolk believe that if one walks from outside the palace's South Alun-alun area between two giant banyan trees some 50 meters apart with eyes shut, one's dreams will come true. "I love to visit the square," Anggun says. "I've always tried to walk between the two big banyans, but never managed." But the myth is magic enough for the singer: "Mystical and mysterious things are always fascinating."

When in town, the pop star never fails to drop by her grandparents' home. Happily, Jogja has attractions even for visitors with no blood ties to the place, from millennium-old Borobodur, one of the world's most sumptuous Buddhist temple complexes, to artisan communities and a leading national university, Gajah Mada. Anggun also relishes the smell and atmosphere, and the kindness of women batik makers. And Jalan Malioboro, a downtown street lined with souvenir stalls and traditional food carts on the sidewalk. "If you like shopping and good food, you must go to Malioboro," Anggun insists. "Don't forget to bargain though. I am a bad bargainer."

   (text by Oliver Rohlfs and Arif Mustolih / Asiaweek.com June 9, 2000)

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Anggun's driving ambition

One thing that Anggun Cipta Sasmi regrets since moving to Paris five years ago is that she never got a driver's license before leaving Jakarta. The 26-year-old Indonesian singer, better known as just Anggun, has no time to study for the French driver's test. She's busier than ever after Snow On The Sahara, her 1998 debut English album, went triple platinum in Indonesia, double platinum in Italy and gold in France and Malaysia. Unlike Jakarta, where getting a license is a snap, Paris is a lot tougher on prospective roadsters. "It's strict, the test and so on. The strange traffic signs are difficult to memorize. I'd rather get an instant one, like in Jakarta," she says. France is too far away to allow frequent visits to her birth city. "But when the promotional tour happens, and Indonesia is on the schedule, that is my chance to visit Jakarta," she adds. She should start packing soon. Her second international album, Chrysalis, is to be released in Asia this month. Between appearances back home, she might just get her driving papers processed.

   (from Asiaweek.com Sep. 01, 2000)