Showing 1 - 2 of 2
The evolution of khon
Life, Amitha Amranand, Published on 22/04/2021
» Choreographer Jitti Chompee's ongoing khon project, which includes Melancholy Of Demon, a dance performance that I reviewed earlier this month, is supported by the Ministry of Culture and departments and offices under its umbrella. This is a surprising level of governmental support granted to a contemporary dance artist who wants to do not-so-genteel things with khon and the character of Tossakan. I still remember how in 2006 the Ministry of Culture reportedly forced Somtow Sucharitkul to change the scene in his opera Ayodhya that depicted the death of Tossakan (Ravan in the opera version) onstage, a practice that is considered a bad omen in Thailand.
The root and fruit of Love
Life, Amitha Amranand, Published on 03/05/2012
» As much of Thailand's classical trove consists of creations from the court, it comes as no surprise that kings in Thai literature are mostly portrayed as exquisite, god-like beings _ the epitome of goodness and wisdom. Some contemporary Thai artists like to mine the canon to create works for the purpose of teaching the accepted set of morals and ethics, rather than to question them.