The Culture of Music and Indigenous Living in Eastern Region: A Case Study of Shadow Puppets, Raksa Talung Company, Trad Province

Abstract

This research was a qualitative research in the aspect of musicology. The objectives of the research were to 1) investigate the resources of culture of music and indigenous living in eastern region; a case study of Shadow puppets, Raksa Talung company, Trad province, and 2) to document the culture of music and indigenous living in eastern region according to the process of musicology. The results revealed that 1) Mr. Phaeng Jaiteing was the head of the company. Kru Cha-on and Kru Sano Nuchsombat were the founders. Mr. Phaeng was the second generation but no one had inherited this performance. The shadow puppet's performance was like the shadow play (Nang Yai). Central local language was used for singing, Trad's local language was used for narrating. Ramayana and folktales were played. 2) the music on lifestyle community played a role on entertaining in several festivals and religious ceremonies such as worship. In the aspect of the identity of music, five musical instruments were combined; Tone (goblet drum), Klong Tuk (small barrel drum), Ching (cymbal), Klui (flute), Sorduang (high pitch fiddle). Thai folk and local melodies were improvised harmoniously in order for the lyrics and melodies to be compatible with the narrative. The rhythmic patterns were performed alternately throughout the plays as follow; 9 patterns of overture, one for teachers’ observation and 3 for performance.