Reflecting Modern Isan Society and Culture through Technology and Social Media in Mor Lam Ruang To Klon Performances
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Abstract
This research aims to analyze the reflection of technology and social modern society in Mor Lam Ruang To Klon performances and to study how such reflections lead to the modern Isan phenomenon. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study conducted content and linguistic analyses of lyrical texts (Klon Lam), dialogues, and front-stage interactions with the audience. The data were drawn from 10 performances by 5 leading Mor Lam Ruang To Klon troupes in the Isan region, broadcasted on the YouTube platform between 2019-2024. The study is grounded in the concepts of socio-cultural reflection and modern society.
The research findings reveal that Mor Lam Ruang To Klon has fully integrated technology into its performance culture across three main dimensions: (1) The content and linguistic dimension: Loanwords, foreign language mixing, and vocabulary related to social media and technology are utilized to reflect a lifestyle intertwined with the digital world, online relationships, online commerce, and cybercrime. (2) The interaction and performance management dimension: Live-streaming technology creates a dual-audience format—live audiences at the venue and a global audience on screens simultaneously—enabling real-time interaction. And (3) The economic and artist identity dimension: Artists have transitioned from mere performers to celebrities, influencers, and entrepreneurs, leveraging their fame and stage presence for business expansion. Furthermore, technology has revolutionized the economic system of the Mor Lam industry through online tipping (digital rewards) and the creation of new forms of fan communities interconnected via social media. These transformations indicate that contemporary Mor Lam Ruang To Klon is not merely a reflection of digital society. Rather, stakeholders in performance have utilized technology as a crucial tool to expand the boundaries of the stage, build global fan communities, and restructure the industry's economy. This effectively redefines the genre as a contemporary performing art that connects its cultural roots with the modern media landscape, ultimately serving as a reflection of the evolving phenomenon of modern Isan society.
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