MATANIARI

(Toba Batak Music and Dance Ensamble)

MATANIARI, a music group formed by Rithaony Hutajulu and Niesya Ridhania Harahap, focuses on the Toba Batak traditional dance and music performance: gondang sabangunan, gondang hasapi, and uning-uningan Opera Batak. MATANIARI involves maestros from Batak Toba musicians, one of them is Marsius Sitohang who was born and raised in Batak music culture in particular Opera Batak tradition. Because of this virtuosic music playing,  Marsius Sitohang is wellknown by a popular name, “The King of Flute”. Marsius Sitohang has been involved in many music performance exhibitions in Indonesia and abroads since 1987, some of them were in Holland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Japan, USA, Australia and others.

As a music group, MATANIARI is functionally keeping Toba Batak traditional music roots in the form of stage performances. However, more than the tradition, MATANIARI sometimes also involves in the form of experimental works.  For instance, they involved in the ethnographic movie project “Rangsa Ni Tonun: A Fim about teh Sacred Batak Textiles”  (by Sandra Niessen-MJA Nashir 2013), where in this film they revitalized a type of weaving song that has long gone. In 2013,  the group had been involved in collosal choral drama project titled “The Story of Buku Ende: Hyms from the Batakland,” which taken from the traditional choral book of Batak Christians, “Buku Ende.” “The Story of Buku Ende” had been performed in Medan (2013), Bandung (2014) and Jakarta (2015).

MATANIARI had performed in several places in Indonesia and abroad, such as “Asian Composers League,” Yogyakarta 1999, ““Millenia Art” Tirtagangga, Bali 1999, Sharq Taronalari Festival, Samarkhand Uzbekistan 2001, North Sumatra Traditional Music an Dance in Guangzhou, China 2001, North Sumatra Traditional Music and Dance in  Singapore 2002, dan Asian Composer League and International Puppet Festival, New Zealand, 2007,  Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany 2015, Europalia 2017, Mataniari-Vinculos Project in Asturias Spain 2017, Toba Caldera World Music Festival (2018, 2019 & 2022), and “Merayakan Keberagaman”  concert that was held by The Faculty of Culture in University of North Sumatra (2023).

The Vital Successor

Niesya Ridhania Harahap

The passing of Irwansyah Harahap left a void, but the legacy and spirit of Mataniari continue to burn bright. The torch has now been firmly passed to his daughter, Niesya Ridhania Harahap. As the child of Irwansyah and Rita, Niesya is a talent who grew up immersed in the world of ethnic music and Batak culture.

Niesya is not merely “continuing” the legacy; she has become an essential figure in Mataniari’s modern era. With her captivating vocals and graceful dance movements, Niesya not only carries on Mataniari’s performances but also infuses them with fresh energy and perspective. Her presence on stage ensures that Mataniari’s music remains relevant and engaging for younger generations.

Beyond Mataniari, Niesya’s artistic journey extends far and wide. She is a multifaceted artist who is also an active member of the world music ensemble Suarasama, based in Medan and internationally acclaimed. Through her work with Mataniari and Suarasama, Niesya has brought the cultural richness of Medan to prestigious international stages such as the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, Europalia Festival in Belgium, and the Beyond Europalia tour in Spain.

In addition, Niesya has a flourishing solo career as a singer-songwriter. She has released singles that blend pop, orchestral, and jazz styles, and has even transformed poetry into song lyrics — including “Aku Melihat Indonesia” (from Ir. Soekarno) and “Hujan Bulan Juni” (from Sapardi Djoko Damono). With a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Indonesia, Niesya exemplifies how artistic talent can harmoniously coexist with intellectual depth.

Thanks to the strong foundation laid by Irwansyah and Rita Harahap, Mataniari continues to shine — now driven forward by the dedication and talent of Niesya Ridhania Harahap. Together, they stand as living proof that music is a timeless cultural bridge, preserving tradition while continuously innovating and inspiring the world from the heart of Medan.