Pappaseng as a Source of Musical Inspiration in the Film Kuru Sumange

Baso Indra Wijaya Aziz, Mukhamad Agus Burhan, Irwandi Irwandi, Anthea Skinner

Abstract


This article explores the creative process of composing film music rooted in the local wisdom of the Bugis people, specifically the pappaseng verses featured in the film Kuru SumangePappaseng refers to a form of ancestral advice and moral injunctions passed down through generations, rich in ethical, spiritual, and philosophical values of Bugis society. In an era of modernization that threatens the continuity of oral traditions, a cinematic musical approach is employed as a revitalization medium that emotionally and aesthetically engages younger generations. This research adopts a Practice-Based Research (PBR) methodology, in which the act of music creation is an integral part of both data collection and analysis. The music composed draws directly from pappaseng quotations, transforming them into lyrics and musical structures that respond to the film’s visual and emotional dynamics. The resulting musical notation illustrates how music can enhance narrative, shape atmosphere, and serve as a bridge between traditional values and contemporary media. The findings reveal that (1) film scenes serve as the basis for musical creation, and (2) philosophical dialogue is adapted into song lyrics. This work demonstrates the significant potential of music as a culturally contextual, emotionally resonant, and intergenerationally meaningful strategy for cultural revitalization.


Keywords


Pappaseng, film music, local cinema, Bugis culture, practice-based research

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24821/resital.v26i2.17137

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