Khon : The most stylish of Thai Performance, Ramayana Episode of Suek Miyarap Options

[NoKhmen]

Khon is the most stylized form of Thai dance. It is performed by troupes of non-speaking dancers, the story being told by a chorus at the side of the stage. Choreography follows traditional models rather than attempting to innovate.

Teaser: Khon performance - Episode of Suek Miyarap โขนศึกมัยราพณ์ 15-31กค.54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12e95MOfDIc


Article from http://lolo-eatablethai.blogspot.com/2011/...erformance.html
Yes ... Yes ... I am also the one who have seen this teaser ad and felt that I must see this ... It's only once a year to seen this grand performance ... Therefore, I was there last week to see this with my eyes and to hear this with my ears ... lastly to feel this with a feeling of 'proudly to be Thai' !!!

For those who don't know what 'Khon - โขน' is ... I would like to give you a brief idea about this performance ... 'Khon' is a traditional most sophisticated form of Thai masked drama. It is belived to have been performed since the Ayutthaya Period (year 1350-1767). Traditionally the performers wore masks and all the speaking and singing were done by the reciters and the singers sitting at one side (or two sides) of the stage with the Thai orchestra.

Most Khon performances feature episodes from the Ramakien, the Thai version of an Indian epic Ramayana. Therefore, the Khon roles are male humans, female humans, monkeys, and demons where the leading performers have to wear masks except angle.

In short the epic is concerned with the protracted war between Rama the righteous King and Thotsakan the King of Demons, which is touches off by the abduction of Rama's beloved consort by the Demon King. Therefore, the drama is therefore full of love, magic, and war scenes.

Last few years, HM the Queen Sirikit's original comments were based upon her concern for traditional forms of Thai dramatic art to be preserved so that younger generations and future generations of Thais can fully appreciate the incredible experience. HM the Queen has called for the preservation of Khon as it' the kingdom's most refined form of traditional dramatic art. Therefore in year 2009, The Support Foundation organized the first Khon Performance 'Episode of Prommas. Later in year 2010, Khon Performance 'Episode of Nang Loi' was also organized. This year, the Episode of Suek Miyarap or 'The Battle of Miyarap' has been arranged.

The below clip are some scenes from Khon Performance : Episode of Suek Miyarap ... One thing I would say ... You have to see by your eyes !!! I was not able to take photos or VDOs as for it's not allowed - so this is the most I can find to show you how great the show is ... it covers most of the most important scenes (and most impressive scenes).

Khon performance - Ramayana Episode of Suek Miyarap โขน ชุด ศึกมัยราพณ์.mov
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUjqULa7zh0






About the mask ... it in fact cover performer's head ... there are holes for visibility at eye position (of course). They are decorated to perfectly portray each characters and roles such as Yak (Demon) ... Masks are decorated with gold, lacquer, and paste jewels ... We Thais call this 'Nah-Khon'.

In additional costumes for Khon is not only the mask ... but the beautiful thing is also the dress ... please look at how amazing the Thai Art can do with the design and material !!!









Anyway, I encourage you all to see this fantastic performance (take yourself, your family, and your kids) ... You will be wondered of the grand stage, sound, and lighting ... don't think the old performance is boring, I see by myself that children enjoyed it / laugh at it / and have fun with it ... you will get every moods you can feel from the story ... I bet you will enjoy it and think how comes the 3 hours show is so fast !!!





source: http://lolo-eatablethai.blogspot.com/2011/...erformance.html