What is khon dance?

What is khon dance?

Khon, the Khon Masked Dance Drama in Thailand, is a performing art that combines musical, vocal, literary, dance, ritual and handicraft elements.

What do Khon masks represent?

Based on characters in the Ramakien epic, khon masks are classified into deity, demon and monkey. There are also some masks crafted for venerable characters like Ngoa, Rishi, Phra Pirap (demon deity) and Phra Pikanet (Hindu god Ganesha) — all of these masks have been used in holy rituals to pay homage to art masters.

When did the khon dance originate?

15th century
Khon is a classic Thai dance that traces its roots back to the 15th century and is an expressional and speechless form of storytelling. It is heavily inspired by the tales of the Ramakien and borrows a leaf from the Indian Sanskrit epic Ramayan.

Who discovered khon dance?

One of the standard topics of Thai theatre studies is the origin of khon. Rama II (1809–1824) has often been mentioned as its creator, but it is now believed to be much older.

What are Khon masks made of?

Making a Khon mask First, the frame is made from cardboard; various sizes are made to form the neck and head which are then joined. Contours and features are created by pasting paper mache. The cardboard frame is left to dry in the sun.

What is Ram Thai?

Dance in Thailand (Thai: รำไทย ram Thai) is the main dramatic art form of Thailand. Thai dance, like many forms of traditional Asian dance, can be divided into two major categories that correspond roughly to the high art (classical dance) and low art (folk dance) distinction.

What is the importance of Khon mask in Thailand culture?

Khon masks comprise part of the costume of performers of the classical dance-drama of Thailand. The dance-drama is also known as “Khon.” A Khon performance involves singing, dancing, acting, acrobatics, and music. Stories for the drama are based exclusively on the Ramakien, the Thai version of an Indian epic.

How is Khon mask made?

Making a Khon mask Contours and features are created by pasting paper mache. The cardboard frame is left to dry in the sun. Next, plaster is molded on the cardboard frame and carefully shaped into the features and left to dry. Ornaments are separately made and glued to the mask.

Why was the khon dance created?

It is a combination of dance, elaborate costumes, singing, speaking, and music. Initially, the khon was performed at the royal court. It was based on the tales of the Ramakien or the Glory of Rama, which is an adaptation of the Ramayana, the Indian Hindu epic. Throughout many centuries, Thai people revered their rules.

What is the purpose of Barynya?

The word barynya (Russian: Барыня, landlady) was used in Old Russian or Rus’ lands as a form of addressing to a woman of higher class, literally when translated means “landlady”, a feminine form for the word “barin”, landlord.

Where did Thai dance originate?

Thailand
Fon (Thai: ฟ้อน; RTGS: fon) is a form of folk dance accompanied by the folk music of the region. The first fon originated in the northern region of Thailand. It was designed and taught by Chao Dararasami of Chiang Mai.

What is traditional Thai dance called?

Traditional Dances of Thailand can be divided into three main categories: Khon and Lakhon, which are the most classic forms of Thai Dance, and Fawn Thai, which includes different forms of folk dances. Khon is the most stylised form of Thai dance.