As a traditional artist Toba Batak, claiming Marsius Sitohang more appreciated in a foreign country than in his own country. So, every time home performances from abroad, Marsius always sad. "It was more in love with a stranger our culture than our own," said the man's birth Palipi, 1953 Samosir it, sadly.
Marsius still remember the 1980 incident earlier. Like other habits Batak people, in the afternoon after driving rickshaws he was always taking the time to stop at the wine shop. Together with another pedicab driver, in the wine shop in Jalan Raya Medan Mosque, they were often accompanied by Batak humming guitar. Marsius was always honoured playing the batak flute (sarune).
Marsius skills playing the flute is no doubt about it. Small is Marsius buffalo herd often spent time with the flute. And taught himself from the people in his village, Palipi.
Simply pull rickshaws to escape Marsius, when the opera group since many years he struggled with his father, cap. Opera Batak named "Saut Love Nauli" including Marsius father's opera that had long Batak eskis in North Sumatra. Opera is like a tribe of Gypsies, who moved around a lot and stayed in a long time from city-to city. Unfortunately, the opera was forced out of business because it could not compete with modern performance art as it intensified.
After the Opera Batak "Saut Love Nauli" bankrupt and closed, all the players to switch professions. "There is a driver, merchant. And like me, who was forced to pull rickshaws because they do not know what else would work," said Marsius.
Marsius who often hung in the wine shop, had secretly ogled Alm M Marpaung, who is leading the "Pear Tondi Matogu", a traditional group, who often fill the Batak customs, like marriage, the customary ceremony of death and others.
Alm M Marpaung Marsius eventually used to take to fill the music in the show-traditional ways. Since it began Marsius name known. Until one time, he had been invited in a seminar on traditional music, which was held at Taman Budaya Medan.
Marsius've forgotten exactly when the month. "But certainly at that time, there are six traditional musicians invited at that time, including me," said Marsius with Toba Batak accent very thick.
On that occasion, too Marsius allowed to play her flute. He still remembers, "When we brought the song 'Andung-grandmother', 'Pinasa Sidungdungon and' Didang-didang '" he recalled. We also introduced to Rizaldi Marsius Siagian, who is chairman of Ethnomusicology Department at the Faculty of North Sumatra University (USU), who also attended the seminar.
"Can you teach?," said Rizaldi then him, such as simulated Marsius. He does not believe the offer. And regard it as joke. Marsius casually replied, "I do not know the notes. What is going to teach you later? "
"You teach a practice course," so explain to Marsius Rizaldi moment. The offer was finally accepted with pride. He then swerved from the daily pull rickshaws. And switch into teaching profession, with a fee status.
Honor few, long held tradition of art 
"Since 1987 I was officially promoted to professor in here. At that time my salary was 3 thousand rupiahs per month," recalled the father of six children. Honor is a question that was not Marsius. "As long as the art of this tradition up," he told Rizaldi time.
Since appointed as a lecturer in the Faculty Etnomusicology USU, Marsius name became more widely known. United States's leading daily The New York Times on 19 November 1991 published a show even with fellow musicians Marsius other tardisional. Including with his brother, Sarikaran Sitohang, which is always taken as a musical accompaniment Marsius.
"It's my four continents singgahi because flutes," he said proudly. Including countries in Asia, Europe, Australia and Europe. "This is a very proud experience. Because of this flute I can travel around the world. At least I can boast a USU and Indonesia, "he said.
There was also little recognition he received from abroad or from their own country. "I never counted them. Since the number, I reached the hassle to keep it from rotting because I can not frame all," he said.
Fame are also likely to invite a lot of perceptions about Marsius. "Many people thought I was rich because I used to go abroad. Actually, no. If they knew," he said.
Naturally, such Marsius said. Understandable, since he was appointed lecturer in 1987, still remain civil status fee. In fact, the amount of fees it receives each month is not expected to provide for his family.
"Fortunately, I have been working side events accompanying the traditional parties Batak. If not from there, from where I can send my son," he said. Marsius also believed to maintain a traditional group called "Group Sopo Nauli" on Jalan Medan Bakti, Daulat's Manurung. This traditional group was six years he ran.
"If you hang from the fee penghasian, highly unlikely," he explained. Marsius received honorarium each month is very little. "Only Rp 270 thousand per month. To transport it less," he admitted.
Unfortunately, although employment status was Marsius the 20 years of service but still honor that status had been raised through the mass and electronic media in the country, but, "No response from the university served until now," he said.
If the response from the community at large, he said. One time, Marsius never received money from strangers. "One day I had a letter from someone. He did not mention his name, but the letter was written by someone who works for a company in Jakarta, " he said.
In the letter of the sender convey his sympathy. Marsius was suggested to open an account in a bank. "For two years he sent me money, 250 thousand rupiahs per month," said Marsius smile. "That is, whoever the person, I did not know," he continued.
Feeling curious, a time when he was invited to play in a traditional art performance in Jakarta, also took Marsius to come the address of the sender's company, in order to provide a souvenir flutes to people who had never come face to face with it.
"Unfortunately this time, I did not meet with him. Finally, the flute, I leave alone the employee in the office," he said.
That is the story of Marsius life, Batak's traditional artists. Even so, he remained always grateful for what he got today. Not be denied is that USU was the one who raised Marsius name. "Because I am also the USU often invited abroad. I am so well known. And can play music everywhere," he admitted, although he still often "mocok-mocok" (with no fix job) looking for side jobs outside activities on campus.
"Fortunately, the students just want to understand. So I can set the time in order to play music in another group," he said. From this it can find Marsius extra money for everyday needs. Little by little money playing music he tube. From the results of these savings, he admitted that he could build houses and educate their children. Although only one person who can afford it I pay for college. "The others have only until high school. I am no longer able, "he said.
And this is Marsius expectations. "If my salary can not be increased, at least next year USU can provide a seat for my child," he called his youngest son, Pandapotan Sitohang Tong, who is still sitting on the bench Music High School, Medan.
Actually, this petition had long she harbored. "When I asked dean, they just told me to find myself to rector," he said, showing a letter of application that ...
Life of One of the Best Traditional Batak Artist, Marsius Sitohang
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