The Evolution of Musical Aesthetics in Indonesia: From Traditional Forms to Contemporary Expressions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/harmonia.v4i1.1709Keywords:
Indonesian musical aesthetics, traditional music, cultural hybridity, contemporary music, digital transformation, rasa, cultural heritageAbstract
Indonesian musical aesthetics form a complex cultural system encompassing emotional expression, spirituality, collective participation, identity, and ritual meaning—extending far beyond mere sonic appreciation. Since comprehensive scholarly synthesis of its evolution remains limited, this narrative literature review examines how traditional aesthetic principles have evolved while sustaining cultural continuity across shifting historical, social, and technological contexts. Drawing on interdisciplinary sources (primarily 2020–2025, supplemented by foundational historical works) from ethnomusicology, musicology, cultural studies, anthropology, postcolonial studies, and digital media studies, the study applies thematic narrative synthesis across musical traditions, aesthetic concepts, historical periods, cultural transformation, technology, and theoretical frameworks. Findings show Indonesian musical aesthetics are organized around rasa, collective participation, spirituality, ritual, and culturally situated notions of beauty, evolving through stages from traditional communal practice, court traditions, and colonial encounters to nationalism, commercialization, contemporary experimentation, and digital transformation. Rather than displacing tradition, modernization has driven adaptive reinterpretation through hybridity, cross-cultural collaboration, and technological innovation—though digital media also raises concerns about authenticity, ownership, algorithmic mediation, and heritage preservation. Cultural hybridity thus acts as a mechanism of resilience, not replacement. Future research should address digital heritage, AI, cross-regional comparison, and culturally grounded frameworks for sustainable preservation and innovation.
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