Designing digital communication innovations through the role of shadow puppet master, Khuan Niang District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

Nang Talung is a traditional folk performance art that has long reflected the wisdom, culture, and beliefs of Southern Thai people. The “Nai Nang Talung” (shadow puppet master) acts as the main storyteller, conveying knowledge and entertainment through recitation, dialogue, and the manipulation of puppets behind a cloth screen. This research aims to develop digital communication innovations through the role of the Nai Nang Talung to promote learning and preserve the art of Nang Talung among youth in Khuan Niang District, Songkhla Province. The research sample consisted of 15 upper secondary school students, as well as 6 Nang Talung masters and experts in media and culture. The study employed a digital media design approach in a multimedia format that integrates text, images, sound, and animation. Storytelling was presented through animated characters and short video clips disseminated on social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

          The findings revealed that applying the role of the Nai Nang Talung in digital media increased interest, understanding, and cultural appreciation of Nang Talung, especially among young audiences. This method is also an effective way to preserve and disseminate folk arts to new generations. Additionally, the implementation fostered collaborative networks among local schools, digital media experts, and local Nang Talung masters in the development and transfer of knowledge for sustainable joint learning. Thestudy indicates that designing digital communication innovations based on the role of the Nai Nang Talung is a key strategy in connecting traditional arts with modern technology, thereby leading to the continued preservation and development of Southern Thai folk arts in the digital era.