From “Jataka” to “Songs”: The Semantic Perception and the roles of media in Thai society

Abstract

The research study was aimed at analyzing the semantic perception of Vessantara Jataka from Tipitaka to media of contemporary songs and the roles of such media in the Thai society.

Findings showed that the semantic perception of Vessantara Jataka was derived from “inheritance” events and the main characters of Vessantara Jataka in Tipitaka and Atthakatha Vessantara Jataka. The motif resulted in semantic perception bringing about images or pictures in mind. In addition, the use of music video confirmed the meaning through “picture” of merit making of Pra-vessantara and the excellent woman of Maddi. The role of Jujaka representing both hero and villain is a way of constructing new meaning for characters. Regarding the roles of media of contemporary songs, results showed that the media has three roles: to entertain, to keep the whole view of merit-making of Bun Phawet (Buddhist festival celebrated in the fourth month in Isan) and to propagate the teaching of Buddha.