The Shadow Figure Appearance
The shadow figures are mostly made of cow hides, delicately perforated and painted into characters in the episodes of the Ramakian epic such as Phra Ram, Thotsakan and Hanuman. The figures are divided in accordance with their attitudes.
For example, the shadow figure of a subject in audience (Nang Fao or Nang Wai) is an individual silhouette of either a human, a demon, or a monkey subject, in a sitting position, hands clasped together in a wai gesture. Figures of this kind are used in the scenes where the subjects are in audience with the king. Background of Nang Yai at Wat Khanon.
In former times, the area around Wat Khanon was a customs post. This enabled the constant contact between Ratchaburi town and Bangkok. During the time that Phrakhru Sattha Sunthon was the abbot of Wat Khanon (King Rama V's reign, A.D. 1868-1910), a nobleman gave 20 shadow figures to the temple.
This and the fact that there were plenty of cow hides for making drums in the temple made the abbot decide to create Nang Yai figures. Then Nang Yai masters from up-country were called to carry out this project until it was completed. The first set of hide figures was "Hanuman Thawai Waen" or Hanuman presenting Phra Ram's ring to Sida.
The first set became deteriorated within a short time because the artisans did not know how to prevent the hides from becoming wrinkled. Later, the abbot invented a method to solve that problem and created new figures for nine more episodes. At present, the shadow figures are aged more than a hundred years and are well preserved in the Wat Khanon Nang Yai Museum.
Nang Yai Conservation at Wat Khanon
Nowadays, Wat Khanon is the only temple with its own Nang Yai troupe which has regularly kept on its operation. Thus, Wat Khanon has played an important role in the conservation of Nang Yai of the country. The temple, in cooperation with the government and the private sector, bring Nang Yai on stage both domestically and internationally.In 1989, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, out of a serious concern about this precious national heritage, set up a royal project to conserve the 313 old Nang Yai figures by duplicating a new Nang Yai set for performance and to keep the old ones in museum.
Silpakorn University was responsible for all processes involved. The new set was finished in 1995 and has been used in performance since then.
Apart from making a new set of the shadow figures, the temple established a Nang Yai museum within the compound to exhibit Nang Yai figures and publicize the Nang Yai story. Also, to prolong this theatrical art, the temple has managed to continuously train young people for the Nang Yai performance.
Wat Khanon Nang Yai Received a UNESCO Award
Recently, Wat Khanon Nang Yai honourably received an award from the UNESCO for its active role in safeguarding what the UN terms "intangible cultural heritage". The troupe was among the 32 entrants in a contest organised earlier this year by the Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) in Japan.
The following is the summarised opinion of Khun Charan Thawonnukulphong, the troupe manager:
"At Wat Khanon, we do everything naturally on the basis of our own daily-life. We do not make it up for propaganda. Here we regularly rehearse the Nang Yai performance, rehearse the musical performance, maintain the shadow figures and clean the theatre which is in the temple compound. It can be said that the complete management of Nang Yai can be seen here.
In our troupe, there are around 30 members, aged from 6 to 17 years old. Ten play the traditional music and about twenty perform the Nang Yai show."
"The youngest performer is only six years old. Even though his performance is not that good, his innocence stands out. This natural charm is what captures the audience's attention."
"Regarding the award from UNESCO, we are very proud of it because we were the only foreign troupe to win the award with all five other winners from Japan. Beforehand, around four or five years ago, we recieved another important award -- the Kinnaree Award for our excellent landscape and venue."
In addition, two boys in Wat Khanon Nang Yai troupe -- Suthat Songkhachon and Sarawut Thawonnukulphong -- expressed their feelings that they were proud to be part of the conservation of this rich cultural heritage. They both join in the troupe out of their own passion not for any remuneration.
Location
Wat Khanon is situated at Tambon Soifa, Amphoe Photharam, Ratchaburi Province (about two-hour drive from Bangkok). If you would like to witness this theatrical art, you can go by yourself or ask a travel agent to arrange a trip to the temple.
Museum: Open daily 08.00-17.00 hrs.
Demonstration: Saturday 10.00-11.00 hrs.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น