Page 9 - KHON
P. 9

imon de la Loubere, a French envoy from the court of King Louis XIV who came to the Ayutthaya court
       in 1688-1689, describes in his book that โ€œThe Siameses have three sorts of Stage-Plays. That which they call
       Cร”ne is a Figure-dance, to the Sound of the Violin, and some other Instruments. The Dancers are masqued and
armed, and represent rather a Combat than a Dance: And thoโ€™ every one runs into high Motions, and extravagant
Postures, they ceasse not continually to intermix some word. Most of their Masks are hideous, and represent
either monstrous Beasts, or kinds of Devils.โ€
Since the 17th century verses and scripts for Khon performance must have been composed and transmitted
orally at least in the capital city of Ayutthaya. Aware of the significance of the Ramakien story as a main source
for entertainment and morals, King Rama I (Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok) commanded the first known
complete version of the Ramakien text written in 107 books in 1797. The text is cleary instructed and marked
with specific melodies and songs for accompanying music as it was meant to be used as a standard script for
Khon performance.

FACING PAGE

The last page of the final of King Rama Iโ€™s Ramakien cleary
indicates that the composition is for entertainment.
Original books of Ramakien, 1797 A.D., King Phutthayotfa
Chulalok (King Rama I, reigned 1782-1809).
Source: National Library of Thailand

                                                                                                                                                                          LEFT

                                                                                            The Ramakien reliefs around the
                                                                                           Ordination Hall of Wat Pho. The
                                                                                       series of 152 marble bas-releif panels
                                                                                        depicting the highlight scences from
                                                                                       Ramakien in stylistic Thai art closely
                                                                                      related to the Khon choreograph were

                                                                                               executed in early 19th century.
                                                                                               Photo: Anucha Thirakanont.

                                                                                                                                                   Thailand KHON 7
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