H.R.H. Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn
playing the so duang.
(Photo by Royal courtesy) |
Traditional
Thai Music in the early Rattanakosin Period (1782-1868)
This is the recovery time of the country after the
fall of Ayutthaya. Arts and culture, especially
traditional Thai music, were restored to the standards
as in the Ayutthaya period. The characteristics
and styles of Thai music were the same as the Ayutthaya
period, except that more musical instruments were
added into the performing bands.
As for the popularity of Thai music in the Rattanakosin
period, it can be said that its zenith was in the
reign of King Rama II (1809-1824) as the king was
not only fond of traditional Thai music but also gifted
in playing traditional Thai instruments, especially
so sam sai. A song composed by the king entitled
"Bulan Loi Luean" is regarded beautiful
and has remained a classic up to the present.
Western music was introduced to Thailand around 1900
and it soon became the fashionable music trend. Before
that, traditional Thai music was very popular. There
was a tradition that the nobility usually had their
own Thai musical bands and that they regularly held
music competitions to find out the expert band and
the most talented musician of each type of musica
instrument. Nowadays, a traditional musical competition
is annually arranged in August at Wat Phra Phiren
in Bangkok.
Traditional
Thai Music At Present
Even though traditional Thai music is considered as
a cultural heritage, it is not as popular as modern
Thai music and is at the risk of becoming obsolete.
A person playing a vital role in conserving traditional
Thai music is H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
who supports the teaching and learning of traditional
Thai music and who, despite tight schedules of royal
duties, annually performs traditional Thai music with
students from high school level in the High School
Traditional Thai Music Performance. The Princess mostly
plays the
ranat-ek. In addition, a group
of people following the princess' intention of prolonging
this national heritage is the senior masters of traditional
Thai music and some young people interested in it.
Nowadays, traditional Thai music is taught as a major
field of study at The College of Dramatic Arts and
at some other leading universities of Thailand. As
for high schools, some of them provide students with
introductory courses on traditional Thai music.
Recently, the Office of National Culture had gathered
18 senior masters of Thai music to give a special
performance to celebrate the 53th birthday anniversary
of H.R.H. the Princess, who is honoured with the titles
of "Patroness of Thai Cultural Heritage"
and "the Most Illustrious Artist".
Thaiways
had an opportunity to talk to three masters of traditional
Thai music who are the cream of their field. Below
is a summary of their opinion on the current situation
of traditional Thai music (presented in order of their
seniority in age).
Khru Chaloem Muangphrae-sri
playing the so sam sai |
Khru Chaloem Muangphrae-sri
Khru Chaloem is 67 years old now. He is a master of
so sam sai. He told
Thaiways that
he loves the melancholy and soothing sound of the
instrument. When asked about the benefits of learning
traditional Thai music, Khru Chaloem said that besides
being a skilled musician, the persons would be cultivated
to be humble, to respect the elders, to have good
manners and to be grateful to their benefactors. Khru
Chaloem added that in spite of the support of H.R.H.
the Princess, an obstacle to learning and teaching
traditional Thai music is that the learners do not
have enough time to practice their lessons.
M.R. Chakrarot Chitrabongs
playing the ranat-ek |
M.R. Chakrarot Chitrabongs
M.R.1 Chakrarot told
Thaiways about his love in traditional
Thai music that it was because he was born in a
family filled with the sound of music, the Chitrabongs
family, which has served as a centre of artists
and musicians since the reign of King of Rama V
(1868-1910).
He began playing the ranat when he was
only 6-7 years old but as an amateur, not a professional
even though he was taught by Khru Thewaprasit, one
of the talented musicians of the era. M.R. Chakrarot
commented about the situation of the traditional
Thai music that the situation is very good because
H.R.H. the Princess gives priority to it, supports
senior musicians and makes teenagers well aware
of the value of traditional Thai music.
Khru Pakorn Rotchangphuean
playing the cha-khe. |
Khru Pakorn Rotchangphuean
Khru Pakorn is 58 year old and is gifted in playing
the
cha-khe. He learned to play the
cha-khe
with Khru Thongdee Sujaritkul, a master of traditional
Thai music. His comment about the situation of traditional
Thai music is that he feels very grateful to H.R.H.
the Princess who upholds the conservation of traditional
Thai music and encourages traditional Thai musicians
to continue their career and duty in passing on their
knowledge to posterity.
Khon performance |
Where to hear traditional Thai music
If you would like to listen to traditional
Thai music, you can buy some CDs at most CD stores.
And if you are interested in witnessing a live performance
of traditional Thai music, please contact the Office
of National Culture for the schedules on tel: 0 2247
0028 ext.2204, 2205, fax: 0 2248 5849 or www.culture.go.th.
Besides, several Thai restaurants provide their customers
with beautiful traditional Thai music while dining.
Also, the music is played along the
khon2
performance. You can go to Sala Chalermkrung Royal
Theatre in Bangkok to experience a
khon show.
(Showtime: Fri. & Sat., 19.30 hrs.) Please call
0 2224 4499 for more details.
1M.R. is an abbreviation for
Mom Ratchawong who is a great- grandson of a king.
2 Khon is a traditional Thai masked
drama.
