THE TWELVE SISTERS: A REPRESENTATION OF ORAL TRADITIONAL MUSIC ADAPTED INTO TELEVISION SERIES

Abstract

This article is inspired by the theme song of the Thai folktale drama, “Nang Sib Song” (The Twelve Maidens), produced by Dida Video Production Co., Ltd. and Samsearn Co., Ltd., and broadcast on Channel 7 of the Royal Thai Army Television Station. Its purpose is to analyze the theme song of “Nang Sib Song” as an example of the adaptation of traditional folk melodies into modern, popular media.

Upon examining the structure of the theme song for “Nang Sib Song,” it was found that the theme song is composed from the melodies of Lao Phan and Suad Lam Nok, which originate from traditional Thai performances, that is, the Layman Chanting melody and the Lao Khaen folk song. These types of performance are rarely seen or heard nowadays. Both melodies have a history and mood that are appropriate to the story. Its uniqueness and the key elements that make the storyline easily memorable and understandable to the audience have made this an interesting adaptation of traditional Thai folk performance to modern creative media.