Performing Arts Spiritual Performances |85
The prominence of Lakhon Chatri is its adaption of entertaining literatures or folk
literatures to the performances, such as Sang Thong, Chai Chet, Phra Rot and Meri, Kaeo
Na Ma (A horse-faced woman), and Suwana Hong. Sometimes the troupe will create their own
scripts, while they memorize, improvise, or listen to the lines of lyrics and verses. Their dialogues
are usually simple with straightforward communication, accompanied by Pi Phat Chatri band
playing music with a focus on beautiful dance scene. Lakhon Chatri used to be the performance
for general celebration and an offering for god because it is believed that the performers has
magical power to contact with god or the holy spirit. If one would prayed for fortunate things, once
it were received, one must present a suitable dramatical art as an offering to god. The theatre
used in Lakhon Chatri consists of four poles in four corners of a square with one bed and a
monumental pole at the center to make a theatre. The Lakhon Chatri performers in the past were
shirtless males. There was only a principal performer/character, dressed in elaborated costume
of Sanap Phlao (a pair of calf-length trousers), Chia-rabat (a kind of sash with decorative strips
hanging down over the thighs), Hoi Na (a decorative cloth strips that also hang down in front
from the waist, Hoi Khang (a decorative cloth strips that hangs down aside from the waist).
Later joined by females, the performers are no later shirtless but dressed like Lakhon Nok.
“ Some of the current
Lakhon Chatri troupes are
inherited from traditional
Lakhon groups such as
Soithong Hirun troupe
(Bunchu Luk Soithong),
Udomsin Krachangchot
troupe. Some of them split
from traditional groups and
changed to new name. They
updated their performances
to modern style, such as
Thida Na Bangsai Troupe,
Chadet Daoden Troupe and
Si Chanthra Troupe.”