ID :
143776
Mon, 09/27/2010 - 13:28
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/143776
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Preserving Thailand's centuries-old 'grand shadow play'
The so-called 'grand shadow play', a traditional Thai cultural performance, has been passed on from generation to generation since the Ayutthaya era in the 15th century.
Sadly, the centuries-old traditional entertainment is gradually moving toward a complete disappearance, with only a handful of people striving to preserve it. Among them is a group of less than 100 people in the kingdom's eastern province of Rayong.
After school almost every day at Baan Don Temple, some 50 youngsters gather to learn various skills of staging a grand shadow play -- whether it be playing a musical instrument, controlling physical movements or mastering the shadow figures themselves.
"We welcome children and young people to the show. We're ready to teach them every possible skill related to the performance, free of charge," said the abbot of Baan Don Temple.
A grand shadow play, as the name clearly implies, needs a lot of performing space -- usually five times more than a normal shadow play. The performance is usually held at a temple or park to mark an auspicious occasion with an appropriate ceremony or at the funeral of a distinguished person.
Performers and dancers tirelessly practice their skills in order to master the shadow figures before the audiences.
"I am proud because there are only three places in the country that preserve this kind of performance. It should be a heritage of our country," said Mana Luangpon, one of the shadow figure masters.
Similar grand shadow performances can be seen in Kanorn Temple in Ratchaburi province west of Bangkok and at Sawang Arom Temple in Sing Buri province in central Thailand.
"I'm proud that the older people in my community have taught me how to control shadow figures. I will continue to preserve the show," said Sutiwat Niyomrak, another young member of the Baan Don Temple troupe.
Ventriloquism is used by two to four troupe members in a grand shadow play while about 16-20 persons of the team -- all fully dressed in traditional costumes -- manipulate their shadow figures. The figures normally include
characters in the Ramayana epic and the performance is enhanced by lively rhythms played by a Thai orchestra.
Young members at Baan Don Temple are currently learning the skills of handcrafting 17 new shadow figures to replace the worn-out ones. Among 200 shadow figures the temple owns, only 105 are now fit for the stage.
In creating a shadow figure, a raw cow or buffalo skin is stretched on a frame. The pattern of a shadow figure is outlined on the sundried skin before it is carved.
When younger members learn the skills of creating shadow figures by themselves, they naturally appreciate the sophistication of such artistic work as well as the value and beauty of the performance. (MCOT online news)
Sadly, the centuries-old traditional entertainment is gradually moving toward a complete disappearance, with only a handful of people striving to preserve it. Among them is a group of less than 100 people in the kingdom's eastern province of Rayong.
After school almost every day at Baan Don Temple, some 50 youngsters gather to learn various skills of staging a grand shadow play -- whether it be playing a musical instrument, controlling physical movements or mastering the shadow figures themselves.
"We welcome children and young people to the show. We're ready to teach them every possible skill related to the performance, free of charge," said the abbot of Baan Don Temple.
A grand shadow play, as the name clearly implies, needs a lot of performing space -- usually five times more than a normal shadow play. The performance is usually held at a temple or park to mark an auspicious occasion with an appropriate ceremony or at the funeral of a distinguished person.
Performers and dancers tirelessly practice their skills in order to master the shadow figures before the audiences.
"I am proud because there are only three places in the country that preserve this kind of performance. It should be a heritage of our country," said Mana Luangpon, one of the shadow figure masters.
Similar grand shadow performances can be seen in Kanorn Temple in Ratchaburi province west of Bangkok and at Sawang Arom Temple in Sing Buri province in central Thailand.
"I'm proud that the older people in my community have taught me how to control shadow figures. I will continue to preserve the show," said Sutiwat Niyomrak, another young member of the Baan Don Temple troupe.
Ventriloquism is used by two to four troupe members in a grand shadow play while about 16-20 persons of the team -- all fully dressed in traditional costumes -- manipulate their shadow figures. The figures normally include
characters in the Ramayana epic and the performance is enhanced by lively rhythms played by a Thai orchestra.
Young members at Baan Don Temple are currently learning the skills of handcrafting 17 new shadow figures to replace the worn-out ones. Among 200 shadow figures the temple owns, only 105 are now fit for the stage.
In creating a shadow figure, a raw cow or buffalo skin is stretched on a frame. The pattern of a shadow figure is outlined on the sundried skin before it is carved.
When younger members learn the skills of creating shadow figures by themselves, they naturally appreciate the sophistication of such artistic work as well as the value and beauty of the performance. (MCOT online news)
