The life, death & resurrection of Camellia.

Salam.

This is for all karaoke aficionados out there.

One of the most selected song during karaoke sessions in this country is Camellia by Ramli Sarip or Sweet Charity band.
But their Camellia is just one version of the song.
The original singer of the song is Abiet G Ade, an Indonesian singer.
And that Camellia is actually just one song in a series of songs titled Camellia.
Abiet G Ade recorded a total of four songs titled Camellia.

The first song of the series is aptly titled Camellia I.

It tells the story of their first meeting.
How Camellia comes into the singer's life and brightens his days, "puisi dan pelitaku" (my poem and my lantern).
It is a classic "boy meets girl" storyline.

Listen to Ebiet G Ade serenading Camellia.

Camellia I : Ebiet G Ade

The second song in the series, titled Camellia II, is the most famous.
This is the one adapted by Ramli Sarip and the Sweet Charity band.
The one that is sung by all karaoke lovers all over Malaysia.

As you may have guessed by now, this second song details out the resistance to their love.
How many people are against them being together, "sejuta tangan telah menahanku" (a million hands stopping me), "tak perlu kau berlari, mengejar mimpi yang tak pasti" (no need to run, chasing uncertain dreams).
Telling him to forget Camellia.

The link below is the original version by Abiet G Ade.

Camellia II : Ebiet G Ade

The third song, Camellia III, is about his longing.
Camellia is no more in his life.
They are not together anymore.
Leaving only memories and photos of her by his bedside, "ku simpan dekat dengan tidurku dan mimpiku".
I will let Abiet tells you himself of his regrets and sorrows.

Camellia III : Ebiet G Ade

The last song (Camellia IV) in the series is about lost.
Camellia is now gone forever.
She is with God.
He is grieving by her grave,

 

"batu hitam

di atas tanah merah
di sini akan kutumpahkan rindu"

 

"black [grave]stone
on red earth
here I will pour my heartache"

 

Listen to his heartache longing for Camellia.

Camellia IV : Ebiet G Ade

However, in the 21st century, Camellia was resurrected.
Her resurrection was actually foreshadowed in Camellia IV.
The lyric in Camellia IV said;

 

"kamatian adalah tidur panjang"

"death is just a long sleep", rather than a permanent state.

 

And in arts and fiction, this is of course possible.

 

Camellia only "slept" for about 20+ years before she was resurrected by the singer Irwansyah.
However, the sweet and innocence Camellia of Abiet G Ade's version is no more.

 

Irwansyah's Camellia is a mistress (perempuan simpanan).
But he is letting her go.
Breaking up with her.
Despite singing that she is "wanita terhebat, yang pernah singgah di hatiku"

("the greatest woman that has ever visited my heart"), he still breaks up with her, asking her to forget about him.

 

He fears his other lover will find out about Camellia, "ku takut kekasihku pun tahu, kau pernah menjadi simpananku".
Some of you will hate Camellia for being a mistress, and some of you will hate Irwan for being a coward and letting her go.
But the acting in the music video is spot on that you also feel empathy for the couple.
And the slow sad song pulls your heart and begs your sympathy.

 

Listen to Irwansyah telling her to forget him and pining for her at the same time.

Camellia : Irwansyah

 

Now you know about the history of Camellia.

Enjoy the songs and if you are a karaoke lover, you can add all these songs to your repertoire.

 

 

PS1 : Someone should make a movie based on these songs already.

 

PS2 : I am not a romantic, I just reviewed and commented on the songs as they

are. Not my fault that good songs are sad romantic songs. It is just a coincidence.