Performing Arts Spiritual Performances |77
Mo Lam
The Ballad of People’s Ways
Mo Lam performance is evolved from a Mo Lam Phuen or a Mo Lam Rueang (master of storytelling),
who tells stories in a lively way together with the sound of Khaen in randomly high and low rhythms. Then,
it was transitioned to Mo Lam consisting of a Mo Lam (singer) and a Hang Khrueang (dancer), reflecting
a social change and different ways of life of the Isan people in each era.
Mo Lam performing arts have been standing with the Isan people since the old times. “Mo Lam” is
composed of two words: “Mo” refers to a master and “Lam” is a kind of storytelling along with beautiful
melodies. Mo Lam therefore means a master of storytelling with melody. In other words, Mo Lam adopted
Isan literatures into verse singing, or telling folktales in Isan dialects while playing Khaen folk music.
Mo Lam in the Northeastern region of Thailand can be divided into two major types: Mo Lam for
entertainment and Mo Lam for ritual ceremonies. Mo Lam performing arts for entertainment include Mo Lam
Rueang, Mo Lam Moo, Mo Lam Ploen, which tell stories through different performances, music instruments
and performers. Some of them sing in duo or group. Some rely on Khaen music, sometimes add Pin and
drum to create more fun. Mo Lam for ritual ceremonies refers to a medium for the communication with Phi Fa
(spirit in the local folklore) following Isan people’s beliefs in Phi Fa and Phi Thaen. This kind of Mo Lam is able
to forecast the weather or cure sick people, also provide a moral support to patients for fighting disease.
“Khaen (bamboo mouth
organ) is the only musical
instrument used in
complementing the show of
Isan people’s Mo Lam Klon.
Mo Khaen will play the
Khan accompanying the
verses.”