72 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
As Nora’s music will change its tempo according to the dance,
Nora orchestra comprises mostly percussion instruments. A pair of
Thon or Thap Nora (tuned one-sided drums), which are beaten by one
drummer, is the most important instrument in the orchestra because it
controls the tempo and leads the orchestra following the performer’s
dances. Other instruments to complement to the sound include drum;
Thap (Nora percussion); a Pi (Thai oboe); a pair of Mong (medium-sized
gong) or double gongs; a pair of Ching (small cymbals); and a pair of
Trae (Multiple layer claves).
The key element of Nora performance is its harmonious integration of
singing and dancing. On some occasions, the performances convey
the stories of ceremonial beliefs and Wai Khru (reverence to teachers)
rituals. In this regard, Nora Performance can be divided into two types:
one is Nora for ritualistic ceremony, called Nora Rong Khru, and another
is Nora for entertainment. Nora Rong Khru is a very important ritual
performance for the Nora professionals. The spirits of the Nora past
masters are invited to the ceremonial stage (Nora Long Rong) for the
younger performers to pay homage to the masters or Ta Yai Nora.
The sacred ceremony includes a sacrificial offering to the past masters,
and tying Soet or holy cloth for the new generation of Nora performers.
Nora for entertainment is a performance made for pure
entertainment. It plays a vital role in the way of life of people in the
community. This type of Nora is usually held in monasteries for raising
funds to support religion. Important traditional festivals held for Nora
performances on special occasions by the local communities, temples,
and government offices consists of multi-gesture dance that show
individual skills and talent by mixing various dance postures such as arm
posture, body bending with singing skills and improvising witty verses
with good content and good rhyme. Because of the challenge, making
a script is considered the most excellent art of Nora. If time allows,
a story of Nora might be told to entertain the audience, with a focus
on the comicality and Nora-style verse singing based on the story.