Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Nanongkham, Priwan
Language:English
Published: Kent State University / OhioLINK 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1305593335
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-kent13055933352021-08-03T05:37:44Z Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand Nanongkham, Priwan Music Northeast Thailand Isan music modern music music identity ponglang ensemble mawlam Isan pop music Due to its historical background as a Lao culture, "Isan" (Northeast Thailand) has long been burdened with a negative image connected to poverty compared with other regions, especially Bangkok. Cultural interaction occurred especially during the period of modernization beginning around the middle of the twentieth century when thousands of Isan people migrated to Bangkok in search of jobs but were stereotyped as lazy, stupid, and backwards. Conversely, during the last thirty years, as evidenced in the rising popularity of both Isan music and food throughout the country, the image of Isan has gradually been changing in a positive direction. Supported by many factors, such as Westernization, modernization, and commercialization, Isan people have been simultaneously developing their musical heritage from traditional to contemporary genres, also creating neotraditional and popular styles. Their new positive identity and image are being projected through the region’s music. For the neotraditional genres, the Thai political situation during the Cold War and Vietnam War was the main factor in the development and promotion of that music as the government utilized the music for entertainment to accompany and support their program against communism. From the 1980s, when the new politic of cultural preservation was enacted, the newly evolved Isan neotraditional genres became “pan-Isan traditional music” popularly used as “school ensembles” at all levels in the Thai educational system. The popular genres, on the other hand, have been supported mostly by the Isan working class in Bangkok. Isan native radio DJs and songwriters in the city have encouraged their Isan radio fans to support their hometown music, to be proud of their own regional identity, and to project it through their music. The result has been a significantly improved image for the people of Isan and much greater self confidence within this cultural population. 2011-07-07 English text Kent State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1305593335 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1305593335 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Music
Northeast Thailand
Isan music
modern music
music identity
ponglang ensemble
mawlam
Isan pop music
spellingShingle Music
Northeast Thailand
Isan music
modern music
music identity
ponglang ensemble
mawlam
Isan pop music
Nanongkham, Priwan
Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand
author Nanongkham, Priwan
author_facet Nanongkham, Priwan
author_sort Nanongkham, Priwan
title Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand
title_short Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand
title_full Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand
title_fullStr Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Modern Isan Music as Image: A Positive Identity for the People of Northeast Thailand
title_sort modern isan music as image: a positive identity for the people of northeast thailand
publisher Kent State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2011
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1305593335
work_keys_str_mv AT nanongkhampriwan modernisanmusicasimageapositiveidentityforthepeopleofnortheastthailand
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