* home * bio * links * contact * about Asmarandana Emiko Susilo – Vocals Rob Levit – Guitars and percussion Asmarandana is a form of Javanese macapat, a traditional poetic form that is sung rather than recited. Macapat were used to tell stories before prose became more widely used. There are several possible interpretations of the word “asmarandana”. The word “asmara” means passion or love. “Dana” can be interpreted as the abbreviation of the word “dahana” which means “fire” or “dana” can also mean “to give” or “value/price”. Thus Asmarandana can be interpreted to mean “The fire of passion”, “The price of love” or “To give love.” Whatever the interpretation of the word “asmarandana”, when sung this form of macapat is full of tenderness and often longing or deep sadness. UCLA Summer 2006 – A lonely time in my life but a time of immense spiritual and artistic growth because of my friendships and work with Emiko Susilo, Leonard Cruz, Greg Acker and the many wonderful artists I had the oppor