Fah Thai Magazine May June 2019

GALLERY
Words and Photos Yvan Cohen
BEHIND
the Seams of
Khon Theatre
In Khon theatre, dance artistry, live music, and stage costumes
all come together to keep a Thai tradition alive.
Though you might not recognise the
term Khon, you have probably seen
images of the traditional dance. Its
ornate costumes, its highly stylised gestures
and colourful pageantry have become wellknown
emblems of Thai culture.
Khon performances can be bewitching
in its dramatic staging. The rich storyline
is derived from a Thai version of the Hindu
Ramayana, known as the Ramakien or ‘The
Glory of Rama’. It recounts the exploits
of the Hindu gods Vishnu, Rama and his
consort Sita; with pitched battles between
armies of Hanuman monkey warriors and
fierce ogres.
Indeed, perhaps the most famous version
of the Ramakien was partly written by
King Rama I in 1797, and later revised by
his son Rama II.
Today, Khon has become a popular art
and a much-loved tradition that is fostered
and developed by the government’s
Fine Arts department which trains and
maintains its own company of Khon
performers at the National Theatre, not far
from the Royal Palace. Its overall effect
relies on veteran artisans who still have
to take needle to thread to make the
elaborate costumes.
This specialised group of artisans
deftly sew the intricate patterns that
define the look of Khon costumes, donned
by thespians graceful in the dance arts
movements who interpret the story as
precise as the embroidery itself.
To witness a Khon performance is a
once-in-a-lifetime experience that will
connect you to one of Thailand’s most
iconic and beautiful traditions and the
radiance of its costumes. The poise, drama
and beauty in Khon are the perfect antidote
to the frenetic pace of modern Bangkok.
Traditional motifs define
Khon costumes.
84
85