THAI DANCE

THAI DANCE Cultural Exchange Class Siriluk P.

Introduction Dance in Thailand is the main dramatic art form of Thailand. Thai dance, like many forms of traditional Asian dance, can be divided into two major categories that correspond roughly to the high art (classical dance) and low art (folk dance) distinction. Although traditional Thai performing arts are not as actively embraced as they once were, suffering from competition from modern and western entertainments and generally changing tastes, Thai dance is still very much alive. It is an integral part of the culture of Thailand at all levels. Royal patronage of classical forms of dance has preserved some dances in their original form for centuries. Rural people have their own forms of folk dance, collectively known as rabam phun muang . History Traditional Thai dancing is a combination of graceful body movements in addition to elaborate costumes and music. There are a total of six different forms of Thai dance: the khon, li-khe, ram wong, shadow puppetry, lakhon lek, and lakhon. One of the most distinctive aspects of this Thai art form is the costumes worn by the performers. Though the quality of the designs have gradually declined since its beginnings some centuries ago, the outfits still remain stunning and elaborate. Gold and silver sequins are used, and even unusual adornments such as beetle wings have been used in their creation.

Kohn Kohn is the traditional Thai masked dance. In the past, it was only performed for the royal family. It is now performed outside of the royal court, however, it is still considered to be one of the highest art forms in Thailand. The performances are derived from the Thai epic, Ramakien, which is the Thai version of the Hindu Ramayana. Most of the dancers are men, and they play a number of different characters, including men, women, demons, and monkeys. In addition to masks, these performances are accompanied by narrators and a Thai piphat orchestra, which usually consists of percussion and wind instruments.

Li-khe Li-khe is the most popular form of dance in Thailand. These shows are a combination of many different elements, from elaborate costumes to slapstick humor and sexual innuendo, throughout a performance. It is meant to be funny, engaging, and is especially popular in villages throughout Thailand.

Ram Wong Ram wong, meaning to dance in a circle, is one of the most popular forms of Thai dance. It is a Thai folk dance, and as the name suggests, men and women come together in pairs and dance in a circle. Movements are slow and graceful, and this is one of the most social forms of dance out of the six.

Where to Watch Traditional Dance in Bangkok, Thailand There are several forms of traditional Thai dancing, roughly divided into two main categories: classical and folk. There are regional folk dances to add even more variety – don’t think you’ve seen all Thai dance after just a couple of shows! Here are the best places to watch traditional Thai dancing in Bangkok. Siam Niramit Siam Niramit is a dazzling cultural show with hundreds of performers, exquisite costumes, various styles of dance, music, and more. It is very tourist focused, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the experience. Some people love the awesome special effects, some people hate them, seeing them as taking away some of the genteel authenticity. If you’re looking for a cultural show with the wow factor, though, this is a tough one to beat. As a bonus, you can wander through the replica village before the show and dinner-inclusive packages are also available. Open : Sun - Sat Time : 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Location : 19 Tiamruammit Road , Khwaeng Huai Khwang, Khet Huai Khwang Bangkok , Thailand National Theatre You can watch two different types of classical dance at the National Theatre: khon and lakhon. Khon is a type of dance with masks and colourful costumes. It is traditionally only performed by men and dancers don’t speak; a narrator provides context to the scenes. Most khon dances tell the spiritual

tale of the Ramakien, the Thai interpretation of the Ramayana. Lakhon is normally performed by groups of female dancers who tell a variety of stories through their dance. The program at the National Theatre is subject to change, so do check in advance before making arrangements. Location : Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon Bangkok, 10200, Thailand Erawan Shrine Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine houses a sacred statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai version of Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation. Many Thai people come here to pray and make merit. Thereis often a troupe of dancers, wearing traditional outfits, at the shrine. Worshipers can make a donation and the dancers will perform – often behind the person as they kneel to pray. This is thought to show respect to the statue and also bring luck to the donor. The best time to catch dancers here is in the evenings and at weekends. It’s free to sit in the grounds of the shrine and watch the hive of activity, including the dancing, though you can, of course, also make a donation to see the dancing group perform their graceful and elegant moves. Location : Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan Bangkok, 10330, Thailand Thailand Cultural Centre A major Bangkok venue for anything and everything related to culture, dance performances are among the diverse shows and events hosted here. As a major player in the national culture scene, you can be assured that shows here will be authentic and of the highest quality. You’ll also find plays, musical recitals, concerts, and more on the program. The centre has a small but interesting exhibition about the history of Thai people, culture, and day-to-day life in Thailand throughout the ages. Open : Mon - Sat:

Time : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Location : 14 Thiam Ruam Mit Rd, Khwaeng Huai Khwang, Khet Huai Khwang Bangkok, Thailand Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre The historic Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre first opened its doors as a cinema in 1933. It showed foreign films initially as the local movie-making industry was still very much in its infancy. King Rama VII took a special interest in the venue, ensuring its success. After World War Two the cinema became the heart of the Thai film industry. It was also common for live performances to take place before and between movies. Eventually, the film industry’s popularity declined. Today, it is used entirely for live shows, specifically performances of classical khon dance that tell the story of Hanuman, the Monkey God. Location : 66CharoenKrungRd, KhwaengWangBuraphaPhirom,KhetPhraNakhonBangkok, Thailand

Basic Thai dance Hand movement is very important in Thai Dance. Sometimes women dancers wear strange looking brass finger nails that exaggerate these hand movements. Tang Wong (ตงั้ วง) Jeeb (จบี )

Ram Wong Ram Wong is a Thai folk dance. Ram Wong a popular seasonal entertainment of a certain region. Ram means dance and Wong is a circle. Ram Wong can be explained as dancing to the accompaniment of the drum beats. Then it have 10 song and 14 step 1. Ngam Sang Duean 2. Chaow Thai

3. Ma si ma ram 4.Kuen Duean Ngai

5.Douang Chan Wan Pen

6. Dok Mai Khoang Chat 7. Ying Thai Jai Ngam

8. Douang Jan Kwan Fah

9. Yod Chai Jai Han

10. Boo Cha Nak Rob

Dance is the hidden language of the soul. Martha Graham