History
Nasida Ria was founded in Semarang, Central Java in 1975 by HM Zain, a teacher of qira'at (how to read the Qu'ran); Zain had previously had experience with the mixed-gender group Assabab. He assembled nine of his students for the band: Mudrikah Zain, Mutoharoh, Rien Jamain, Umi Kholifah, Musyarofah, Nunung, Alfiyah, Kudriyah, and Nur Ain. The group initially only used the rebana to provide music. Later, then-mayor of Semarang and fan of the group Iman Soeparto Tjakrajoeda donated an organ to aid the group, also facilitating their musical studies. The group later acquired a bass, violin, and guitar.
Nasida Ria's debut album, Alabaladil Makabul, was produced three years later and marketed nationally by Ira Puspita Records. Their songs were entirely based in dawah and drew influences from Arabic music. The following three albums were similarly themed and included much chanting in Arabic. After a suggestion from kyai Ahmad Buchori Masruri that the songs would be more effective if entirely in Indonesian, Nasida Ria changed its style; Masruri also contributed songs under the pseudonym of Abu Ali Haidar.
Nasida Ria's new style was shown to be popular, with several of the group's songs, including "Pengantin Baru" ("Newlyweds"), "Tahun 2000" ("Year 2000"), "Jilbab Putih" ("White Hijab"), "Anakku" ("My Child"), and "Kota Santri" ("City of Orthodox Islam"), gaining much airplay in both rural villages and urban areas. They also appeared on national television and toured the country.
In 1988, Nasida Ria performed in Malaysia to celebrate the Islamic New Year on 1 Muharram. Six years later, they performed in Berlin, Germany in Die Garten des Islam (The Islamic Cultural Exhibition) under invitation from the Haus der Kulturen der Welt. In July 1996, they returned to Germany for the Heimatklange Festival, performing in Berlin, Mülheim, and Düsseldorf.
After 2000, the group saw less success. Several members were replaced, having died or left to further other goals.
Nasida Ria is now headquartered in Semarang. The current manager is Choliq Zain, son of their original manager.
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