Transformation of Togak Balian Ritual in Programmed Music Composition: An Exploration of Sonata in Three-Part Music

Abstract

Togak Balian is a traditional medicine ritual of the Kenegerian Sentajo community, Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province, which uses robab music and nandong singing as the main elements in its spiritual procession. The music in this ritual has a repetitive pattern with narrow intervals that create a mystical and transcendental atmosphere. Along with the times, this ritual is increasingly rarely practiced, so a revitalization strategy through an artistic approach is needed. This research aims to transform the elements of Togak Balian ritual music into a three-part musical composition based on the concept of programa, emphasizing sonata exploration as a form of adaptation and innovation. An artistic research method with a qualitative approach was used in this research, with data obtained through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with ritual performers, and musicological analysis of Togak Balian melody, rhythm and harmony transcriptions. The results show that this transformation can maintain the original musical character while still providing space for innovation through progressive harmonization, timbre exploration, and rhythm adaptation in a three-part composition format. The structure of the developed composition consists of Part I (Masuak ka Tampuruang), Part II (Manjopuik Samangek), and Part III (Baliak ka Alam Awak), which describes the spiritual journey in the Togak Balian ritual through a musical progression approach. This research contributes to the development of performing arts, culture-based music education, as well as the preservation of Indonesian traditional music, by showing that traditions can develop without losing their cultural roots, as well as being a model in adapting traditional music to remain relevant in modern art.