Critical Connections: Forum on Cultural Studies in Asia and Beyond
16 March 2012, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SCHOLAR AND GUEST SPEAKER
Asst. Prof. Dr. Thitinan B. COMMON (Dhurakij Pundit University)
email: <looknok@hotmail.com>
"Music and Culture: the roles of Lanna music and artists in an articulation of Lanna cultural identity"
This research article aims to explore the relationship between music and cultural identity within the Lanna community. It’s focused on an analysis of the role of Lanna music and artists in the articulation of Lanna cultural identity.The research has been conducted with qualitative research methods, using content analysis and in-depth interviews with scholars and artists, along with focus-group discussions with listeners.
The research outcome shows that Lanna music and artists have played three important roles in the articulation of Lanna cultural identity.
1.) Content and lyrics in Lanna music have demonstrated the ways of life of the Lanna community. Listeners learn about Lanna culture and identities, such as traditional food, important local places and countryside, and the Lanna way of life through music. In this way, Lanna people feel proud of their culture. This also encourages tourists to visit Lanna communities, as they are persuaded by lyrics that depict the beauty of Lanna culture.
2.) Lanna music and artists have played a role in maintaining and preserving the Lanna language, known as Pa-sa-kam-meung, which is one of the uniqueness of Lanna culture. Lanna people feel proud of their language, and the new generation also learns their language through music. Moreover, non-Lanna listeners admire the unique aspects of Lanna cultural identity.
3.) Lanna music demonstrates the uniqueness of Lanna culture, as Lanna musical rhythm has its own distinct style. Moreover, Lanna music has recently been adapted to incorporate modern kinds of music and emerged with hybrid genres such as Folksong Lanna, Hip hop Lanna, and Look-tung Lanna. These new hybrid genres of music also carry Lanna cultural identity.
Thitinan B. Common holds a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies from Northumbria University, UK. She is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Communication Arts, Dhurakij Pundit University. She has also been working in television as a producer and broadcaster for the past 18 years; she recently provided the live commentary for the BBC’s broadcast of Prince Williams and Kate Middleton’s Royal Wedding. Her main research interests are television studies, media and cultural studies, third-culture kids, and cultural hybridity. |