“Nyanyian Sunyi Lembah Pauh”: A Documentary Film as a Medium for Traditional Music Preservation

Abstract

The documentary film “Nyanyian Sunyi Lembah Pauh” tells the story of the Saluang Pauh, a traditional wind instrument from Minangkabau, Pauh District, West Sumatra, which is currently facing the risk of physical and cultural extinction. This documentary comprehensively records the process of making, playing techniques, and the philosophy behind the Saluang Pauh through in-depth interviews with Saluang Pauh craftsmen, community members, and the last remaining maestros who continue to preserve this tradition. Besides documenting technical aspects, the film also serves as a bridge between the older and younger generations of Minangkabau through participatory workshops, aiming to raise collective awareness among both young and old about the importance of preserving and revitalizing local culture. A creative audio-visual approach is used to provide an immersive experience for viewers, enabling them not only to intellectually understand the Saluang Pauh but also to feel its spiritual value and the importance of this musical preservation tool. The film portrays the contrast between the silence caused by extinction and the sound of cultural revival as a critique of global cultural homogenization. Moreover, the film invites the community to reflect on the role of tradition in shaping modern identity.This documentary employs a multimodal approach that combines various sensory dimensions such as visual, auditory, spatial, and experiential elements to capture cultural life holistically. Bruno Nettl’s ethnomusicology concept underpins the understanding that the Saluang Pauh is not merely an object but a living and evolving cultural practice. The film production follows stages of research, pre-production, production, and post-production according to the method proposed by Kochberg. Nyanyian Sunyi Lembah Pauh is expected to become a living archive that preserves Minangkabau’s cultural heritage while serving as an important source of inspiration and reference for younger generations, researchers, and government officials in safeguarding local culture.