Travel news - Thai history, culture and art

PUPPETS RULE THE ROOST

The Thailand Cultural Centre came alive as puppeteers from 10 countries joined together to show off their unique crafts and abilities.

"The Art of Puppetry: The Common Heritage", which is part of The 2nd Asean Festival of Arts, kicked-off last weekend. The six-day event drew a plethora of audience members who came to celebrate the heritage of the past. The Asean countries that participated were Thailand , China , Cambodia , Singapore , Lao PDR, Indonesia , Malaysia , Vietnam , Brunei Darussalam and Burma .

Apart from the main performances and demonstrations by each ensemble at the Thailand Cultural Centre, the participating troupes also partook in travelling performances, visiting many venues and schools. The tour allowed puppet enthusiasts to appreciate the dying art and learn more about its historical and artistic background.

The Chakrabhand Posayakrit Puppet Company graced the opening gala with their exquisite puppets and their delicate movements _ a now rare skill passed on by the late National Artist Khru Chuen Sakulkaew. The show was an excerpt from a sad episode in Thai history after the fall of Ayutthaya when Siamese Princess Subankalaya, elder sister of King Naresuan the Great, was sent to Hanthawadi as a tribute to the Burmese king in exchange for his son Prince Naresuan, who had been held hostage there.

Apart from Chakrabhand's troupe, Thailand 's heritage in puppetry was also represented by the Sakornnadtasin Puppet Troupe, Chu Cherd Cham Nan Silp Puppet Troupe and the Wat Ban Don's Shadow Play. The first ensemble, widely known as the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre, presented the Ramayana episode of Ravana, the demon king of Longka, who seduced and abducted Sita.

The second troupe, dubbed Grandpa Wong's puppets, demonstrated the story of Raka Kaew composed by the founder of the troupe, Wong Ruamsook. The story takes place in the City of Kochana , ruled by King Lilaraj. His Queen gives birth to a chick. Angry, the king orders the two to be killed but the chick is saved by an angel who turns him into a human and names him Raka Kaew. After that, Raka Kaew braves many adventures and overcomes treacherous situations.

The Wat Ban Don's Shadow Play also showcased the Ramayana, but they chose the episode on the birth of two princes, one who belonged to Sita while the other was created by the magic power of a hermit to be a friend for the little prince.

The Vietnamese Water Puppet Theatre lived up to its reputation, enthralling the audience with eight shows in a row. The spectacle included the Dragon Dance, Dance of the Fabulous Animals, the Phoenix Dance and the Dance of Immortals. Apart from revealing the country's artistic prowess and myths, the show also showcased the traditional way of life of the Vietnamese people as was evident in the Fishing and Children's Games episodes. The kaleidoscopic costumes of the puppets and rhythmic movement of each puppet made the entire show an awesome experience.

Contrary to the more traditional method adopted by their peers, the Finger Players Limited from Singapore looked different and modern both in terms of costume and style of presentation. It aimed to inculcate lessons in life and moral values into children, and to provoke their imagination. The troupe has taken its shows to many countries around the world in an effort to tell people to accept and respect the diverse cultures of each country.

The Mulat Theatre from the Philippines also chose an episode from the classic Ramayana story. The name of the troupe, established by Professor Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio, means "to open", to awaken children to the richness and beauty of national and regional cultures.

All the puppeteers were clad in black with black veils and they all appeared on-stage alongside the puppets moving together while performing.

Thanks to the Seri Asun Shadow Play Troupe from Malaysia , the audience had a chance to laugh since the puppeteers could speak Thai and even some Thai dialects. Besides, they mixed local dialects with foreign languages while commenting on current global events.

In terms of presentation, the Malaysian shadow play resembled that of Southern Thailand with principal characters, costume designs and leather puppets. The main story was still Ramayana, intertwined with comedic touches during the intervals.

The Shek Toch Shadow Theatre from Cambodia was full of energy. The two stories they presented _ "Father Chooses a Son-in-Law" and "Buffalo Fighting" _ revealed the local way of life and the worldview of Cambodian people.

In addition to the various styles of puppets and shadow plays, participants also had a chance to view the fascinating Marionette Troupe from Burma . The puppeteers were young artists from the University of Rangoon . While on-stage, the troupe consisted of puppeteers, vocalists and orchestra members. They performed seven shows, which featured different types of dances.

While puppets from other countries looked graceful and sophisticated, the puppets from Ka Bong Laos appeared simple yet intriguing. The puppets themselves were made from everyday objects like coconut shells, brooms and bamboo poles.

Ka Bong Laos is supported by Unicef and Handicap International. The troupe has been to several countries to raise awareness and spread information on Aids, drug abuse and cluster bombs. It also promotes road safety awareness in many schools.

One of the most extravagant shows was performed by the Indonesian troupe from the Indonesia College of Arts, Surakarta , which was established in 1964. The troupe consisted of adept teachers and students, agile dancers, veteran musicians and singers. All played a vital role in making the presentation dynamic and realistic.

The Jiangsu Puppet Theatrical Company from China was also superb. Founded by Xu Hong, this troupe won the Wenhua Prize, one of the top cultural prizes in China . One of the highlights of the show was getting the puppets to write and paint with a brush _ quite a feat. In fact, the founder, Xu Hong, was granted a patent for this innovative technique. Her puppet was also able to brandish a 10-metre long silk sleeve in the air, gracefully and marvellously.

To thunderous applause from puppet admirers, the show ended with a belief that this part of the region's common heritage will live on, and not just in people's memories.
Bangkok Post 11 August 2005 www.bangkokpost.com