latar

Latar is a term in Indonesian and Malay that refers to the background or setting of a scene, event, or work. It can denote the physical backdrop in visual arts, theater, photography, and film, as well as the more abstract context that surrounds a narrative.

In visual arts and performance, latar describes the backdrop behind the subject. In theater and cinema, the latar belakang panggung or painted backdrops establish location, mood, and atmosphere. Modern productions may use digital backdrops or scenery to create a sense of place without relying on real surroundings.

In literature and storytelling, latar refers to the temporal and spatial context of a story. This includes the time period, geographic location, and the social, cultural, and economic conditions that influence characters and events. Descriptions of the latar help readers understand motivations and plot developments.

In everyday language, latar is often used in phrases such as latar belakang, which means background or context, as in latar belakang budaya (cultural background) or latar belakang historis (historical background). The term can appear in discussions of art, media, history, and social studies to indicate the surrounding circumstances that shape a subject.

Etymologically, latar originates from Malay and Indonesian, where it commonly denotes the rear or back and has broadened in usage to mean context or setting. Related terms include latar belakang and setting.