[Tlc] T-culture

[justinm at ucr.edu]

Forwarded from Dr. Charles Keyes.
Thanks,
justin

 There was an opportunity in Seattle on Friday night, October 24th, to witness an extraordinary performance of Thai music, dance, and puppetry. The Thai Consulate General in Los Angeles sponsored a “Thai Cultural Night in the U.S.” at the University of Washington in Seattle and will repeat this sponsorship at UCLA on November 1st. Those in LA who want to see the performance be warned – the tickets for the Seattle performance were gobbled up as soon as they became available.

The LA Consulate General sponsored “Thai Cultural Night in the U.S” to honor His Majesty, King Bhumipol Adulyadej, on his 81st birthday and to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Thailand and the U.S.  The event certainly was a success on both scores. It would not be possible to see an equivalent performance in Bangkok unless it was a command one for a member of the royal family.

  The performance was directed and introduced by Professor Anucha Thirakanont, the head of the Thai Studies center at Thammasat University. We in Seattle were treated to a number of classical dances, including one – “The Broken Tusk of Ganesh” – using masks (Khon) that was an episode from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana. While all dances were exquisitely performed, one especially memorable was one in which the male dancer appeared on stage in only a basic costume. He was accompanied by several men who then proceeded to dress him in full traditional costume consisting of numerous pieces, many of which had to be sewn on to the dancer. After spending about 10-15 minutes being dressed, he then danced the “Kris Dance of Suranakong” from the court dance drama Inao. The total effect of the dressing and is performance was electrifying.

  The pipat orchestra which accompanied all the dances was a special treat on its own. Even their collective success was surpassed by the solo performance on the ranad ek, wooden xylophone, by Watcharakorn Boonpeng. His was truly a virtuoso performance such as I have never seen or heard in Thailand except in the film Hom Rong (“The Overture”), a film in which Watcharakorn had a leading role.

  The night ended with a classical puppet performance of the episode “Hanuman and Benyakai” from the Ramakien. The dancers, who were also puppeteers, entranced the audience with their orchestration of the movements of Sida, Benyakai, Thotsakan, and especially Hanuman, the monkey god. The performers even came down from the stage so that the puppets could engage members of the audience, much to the delight of everyone.

  On behalf of the University of Washington and members of the Seattle community I want to thank Consul-General Jukr and his staff at the Consulate in LA who made it possible for this exceptional event to take place in Seattle. It was a true privilege to be at a performance so well directed by Ajarn Anucha and so superbly presented by the troupe that accompanied him.

Charles (Biff) Keyes
Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and International Studies
Department of Anthropology
Box 353100
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-3100



______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
3046 INTN
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu