Darā: Satun's Pastoral Melodies
22 August 2024
15:00- 15:30 hrs (GMT+7)
“Darā” is a traditional performing art that originated in Saudi Arabia and spread through Indonesia and Malaysia before reaching Satun Province, southern Thailand, around three hundred years ago. This performance includes dance movements that imitate the movements of a deer. The singing is performed in a local Arabic dialect, and the meaning of the lyrics shrouded in mystery, adds an element of intrigue to the performance. The repertoire consists of songs that are used to praise God. According to historical records, there were originally forty-four Darā songs; however, only five are popular and performed today, including Tabegaje, Ammajarika, Diyadoniya, Sifaddarigantong, and Hodami. The performance usually entails singing, predominantly by female singers, accompanied by the rhythmic pattern of the Ramana drums. Typically, four drums are utilised, each with a different rhythm for each song. Traditionally, it was a popular form of entertainment during ceremonies and festive occasions, but nowadays, Darā performances are infrequent and only occur on special occasions.
The researcher drew inspiration from Surasit Srisamut’s study on "The Form and Musical Characteristics of Dara Performances in Satun Province." The study focuses on creating new music by integrating the knowledge and art of Darā, aiming to infuse Western music elements while preserving the original melody and rhythm. Titled "Darā: Satun's Pastoral Melodies," the music composition comprises five choral sections accompanied by the traditional Ramana drum. This composition demonstrates the fusion of traditional folk, Western, and contemporary music to introduce a modern style that appeals to a broader audience while upholding Thailand's traditional folk music.