IN CELEBRATING THAILAND MOTHER'S DAY
SPECIAL STORY AUGUST 12, 2019
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SPECIAL STORY
HER MAJESTY QUEEN SIRIKIT THE QUEEN MOTHER AND ‘KHON’
On November 29, 2018 UNESCO brought joy to all Thais by inscribing Thai Khon,the masked dance drama of Thailand, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This prestigious recognition would not have taken place had it not been for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s integral role in revitalizing khon. In 2002, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn expressed her concern to the Queen Mother about diminishing audiences for the Khon performance. The Queen Mother responded, “When no one is watching it, I will watch it myself,” and the Queen Mother’s inspiration marked the beginning of the Thai Khon conservation. Since that day, the Queen Mother has worked tirelessly to conserve, revive, and support the Thai Khon. At her behest, and with her financial support, the Fine Arts Department developed costume prototypes in exquisite detail, all from original patterns and elegant “Pha Yok” silk. Skilled craftsmen were loaned from the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques to help in redesigning costumes and sets. She has also advised on performers’ makeup in order to preserve Khon’s distinctive Thai look and better distinguish male and female characters. The Queen Mother also suggested that young performers be selected in order to become the new conservers of Khon. Her dedication has refreshed and revived Khon while retaining its traditional Thai style and interpretation. As an important part of her royal duties, the Queen Mother has often shown the Khon performance on overseas visits, where royal guests and foreigners see the distinctive arts and unique culture of Thailand. In 2009, she initiated the annual public performance of Khon Phra Ratchatan or the Royal Khon. For over a decade, Thai audiences have watched the Royal Khon with ever greater attention and interest. The Queen Mother’s earnest efforts to preserve the Thai Khon has rekindled its popularity among Thai people and cultivated their affection and sense of ownership for this beautiful, traditional Thai performance. On the auspicious occasion of the Queen Mother’s birthday August 12, 2019, we humbly express our best wishes to Her Majesty. Long Live Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN PRESIDING OVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "KHON PROMMAS" AND "VIRTUES OF THE KINGDOM" EXHIBITIONS HELD IN HONOUR OF THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN, AT BANGKOK ART AND CULTURE CENTRE, PATUM WAN DISTRICT, BANGKOK (19 AUGUST 2009)
HER MAJESTY QUEEN SIRIKIT THE QUEEN MOTHER AND THE CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF KHON
Khon is an ancient performance art that combines multiple Thai artistic disciplines, including literature, dance, music, crafts,
and
fine
arts
that
demonstrate
a
magnificent
national tradition. The performance of Khon is an art form that has existed in Thailand for centuries and has been used to welcome and excite admiration from distinguished foreign guests. Putting on each performance is no easy task and so ordinary people did not have many opportunities to view a Khon performance. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother both saw the decline in the popularity of this ancient art form. Whenever there were important foreign guests or whenever Their Majesties travelled abroad on official visits, they would command these traditional Thai performances for the pleasure of their guests. In 2003 (B.E. 2546) Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother summoned a meeting of Khon experts and craftsmen in various fields arranged by the SUPPORT Foundation, with the goal of researching and reviving Khon in accordance with ancient royal traditions. Subsequently, this meeting transformed into the SUPPORT Foundation’s Khon Performance Organizing Committee.
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SPECIAL STORY
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF "KHON" A CLASSICAL THAI MASKED DANCE, AT THAILAND CULTURAL CENTRE, HUAI KHWANG DISTRICT, BANGKOK (JULY 22, 2010)
NATIONAL LEGACIES
Later, in 2007, the Committee requested Her Majesty’s permission to perform a premier of the “Prommas” to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 80th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the 75th Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother was greatly encouraged by the performance’s unexpected success. A new phenomenon struck Thai society, where young people and children would take their elders as well as foreign visitors to see the Khon performance. In view of this success, Her Majesty commanded the annual performance of Khon.
CONTRIBUTION
This article was assembled by Dr. Pattrawut Charoenroop from an article and photos graciously provided by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s Personal Affairs Division.