Discover Thainess: Discover Thainess through the magic of Nang Yai shadow puppetry

Monday, July 27, 2015

Discover Thainess through the magic of Nang Yai shadow puppetry

In many nations, however it is in Southeast Asia and Thailand specifically where it ended up being classicism. There are other kinds of shadow puppetry in Thailand, Nang Talung in the South for instance, where crowds are captivated by articulated puppets informing bawdy jokes.

However Nang Yai, which probably predates the Ayutthaya duration, was reserved for the royal household and reached its zenith in the Rattanakosin Era when stories from the Thai impressive, Ramakien were carried out for the court.

Whereas in other shadow theaters, the puppets are small with moving parts, Nang Yai ‘puppets’ are fixed photos held up against the lit up screen. The activity comes from the puppeteers themselves. Till just recently, Nang Yai was a dying art, but now its traditions are being maintained and promoted at Wat Khanon in Ratchaburi. The temple not just cares for Nang Yai puppets, however also teaches a brand-new generation of puppeteers to stage the elaborate performances..

The temple has been connected with Nang Yai since the reign of King Rama V the Great (r 1868-1910) when many of the initial puppets were commissioned by a venerable figure understood as Sattasunthorn, or Grandfather Khom. He desired bigger puppets for a higher remarkable impact therefore joined forces with two local craftsmen, Chang Ja and Chang Puan to make the figures. The first puppets informed the story of the Monkey King Hanuman, however the artists went on to create hundreds more from cowhide and exotic products; such as, bear and tiger skin. Some 313 of their creations are now on screen in Wat Khanon’s museum.

The museum itself is housed in a standard Thai structure with pleasantly creaky floors, and the puppets are displayed versus light boxes so you see them silhouetted in all their magnificence. Some are so huge that you have to stand back to take them in.

However it is by looking carefully at the details that you recognize what superb art pieces they are. The figures of gods, military devils, kings and supplicant hermits are carved and cut from the leather with charming ability. They are highly detailed however robust adequate to be made use of in program after program. By taking a look at the puppets close up, you can see the repainted colors that come out so vibrantly in efficiencies. The museum puppets, are now too fragile to be utilized in the programs, so in 1989, new ones were produced and presented to the temple by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Reveals take location in the theater on both sides of a 10 meter-wide back-lit screen. Music is offered by a standard piphat orchestra playing Thai versions of xylophones, gongs and woodwind and a gifted narrator, whose voice lessens and flows with the activity on screen, informs the story. It’s in Thai however you do not require the language to be mesmerized by the colors and action as the huge puppets are lit up.

The puppeteers move with military precision to bring the scenes to life. They’re young however need fantastic strength and versatility to hold the heavy leather puppets for unpleasant lengths of time. They stamp their feet in time to conjure up marching armies, glide and shimmer throughout the phase and utilize gymnastic leaps to place the shadow puppets appropriately.

Nang Yai dates back centuries, but each performance is vibrant, interesting and genuinely fascinating. Exactly what’s more, in each reveal the heros win, the bad individuals lose and all is well with the world. It’s story telling at its purest. So next time when you see Thailand, go to Wat Khanon. It’s just by supporting conventional entertainment; such as, Nang Yai that they’ll endure for future generations to enjoy.

Fast Facts:

Wat Khanon is located around two hours by car from Bangkok.

The Nang Yai performances happen on Saturdays and national vacations but examine in advance as occasionally the entertainers in some cases take the puppets on trip. Tel: +66 (0) 32 23386

Museum: Open day-to-day 08.00– 17.00 hours.
Scheduled Demonstrations: Saturday 10.00– 11.00 hours.