Authors : Thanyaluk Moonsuwan, Burin Plengdeesakul and Pattamawadee Chansuwan
Abstract: This study aims to: study the history of Khon Ramayana dance of Thailand and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; study the current state of Khon Ramayana dance in Thailand and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; to compare the identity of Khon Ramayana dance of Thailand and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Tools for data collection consist of observation form interview form and group discussion. Target group consists of four knowledgeable persons or experts in the performance of Khon Ramayana dance and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram. Performers include 12 actors and musicians of Khon Ramayana dance and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram. Presentation of the study results is applied with descriptive analysis methods. The study found that Khon is one of the high-class performing arts of Thailand that has a magnificent beauty and a dance style resembling Lakhon Nai (the royal court dance drama play), showing the story sequence like a drama play while Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram is one of the outstanding performing arts in Laos that has been inherited to the present in Vientiane. For the current conditions of Khon Ramayana dance and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram there are elements of the performances that have changed from the past to the present which was influenced by the culture of performances from neighboring countries. This indicates the identity of Khon Ramayana dance and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram that both performances still retain the ancient traditions and still an indication of nationality transmitted through the acting style, dance style, narration and dialogue narration, music and costumes which may have some limitations that make the performance somewhat incomplete but still remain exquisite and structured, so, the performing arts are of people’s awareness to be appreciated by the value of arts and culture through the performance of Khon Ramayana dance and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram.
Thanyaluk Moonsuwan, Burin Plengdeesakul and Pattamawadee Chansuwan, 2020. A Comparative Study on Performing Identity of Khon Ramayana Dance and Fon Phra Rak Phra Ram. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 15: 838-846.