Nasida Ria and Qasidah Ezzura

Nasida Ria are the trailblazers of qasidah modern, having formed in 1971 and boasting 34 studio albums. They reached their peak popularity in the 1990's when their songs were frequently played by national radio stations and the group was flown to Germany and Malaysia for music festival performances. Originally formed as part of a girls' Islamic boarding school (pesantren) deeply rooted in Nadhlatul Ulama (NU, Indonesia's largest traditionalist Muslim organization) tradition, the group's members are now all adults. While carrying on the didactic tradition by bringing up a new generation of personnel in the junior group, Qasidah Ezzura, the younger generation no longer lives and breathes qasidah due to increasing education standards and career expectations from families.

In elaborate matching costumes and full make-up, Nasida Ria embodies an image of femininity that is highly intentional. Their front-woman, Hj. Rien Jamien, or Bu Ri as those around her call her, explained to me that attractive women messengers make moral messages more palatable. Bu Ri's own demeanor is far from that of the fantasized "ideal Javanese woman" who speaks with a high and soft voice and moves slowly and elegantly. She is a grandmotherly figure and a comedian, with a commanding voice and raucous sense of humor when she works the crowd between songs. She has played tambourine and MC'ed for the band since its 1971 inception and maintains that its goals and message remain the same: dakwah.

Nasida Ria was first to perform songs now part of universally-performed qasidah canon, including some advocating for world peace, mobilizing support for Palestine, enforcing proper gender roles, and counseling against divorce. All of their repertoire was written by men, especially religious experts (kyai).