CREATIVE APPROACHES TO CONTEMPORARY THAI DANCE: "PHAEN DIN THONG"

Abstract

Introduction: Historically, Thailand was known as "Siam." It was often called "Suvarnabhumi" or the Golden Land because it had rich natural resources and was a major center for trade. The reign of King Narai the Great (1656–1688) represents a period of peak economic prosperity and international trade, providing a significant historical context for the development of contemporary Thai dance performances. Objective: 1) To investigate the socio-economic conditions during the reign of King Narai the Great (1656–1688) and 2) To create a contemporary Thai dance performance entitled "Phaen Din Thong". Method: This study employs a creative research methodology, analyzing relevant historical documents and existing literature to develop contemporary Thai dance. Research instruments included evaluation forms and focus group discussions. The findings are presented through descriptive analysis supplemented by illustrations. Results: Phaen Din Thong is a contemporary Thai dance production that reflects the socio-economic environment during the reign of King Narai the Great (1656–1688), characterized by resource abundance, commercial growth, and international relations. The creative process comprised five systematic stages: the selection of historical findings, the determination of performance concepts and symbols, performance design, practical experimentation, and evaluation by dance experts. The performance is categorized into two segments: Part 1: Abundance and Maritime Trade and Part 2: Prosperity and Well-being of the Land. The performance elements include: (1) newly composed music and lyrics utilizing Thai musical structures and scales; (2) costumes inspired by noblewomen of the late Ayutthaya period integrated with contemporary styles; (3) a total of 52 dance movements, consisting of 50 modified standard movements synchronized with the narrative and 2 newly created movements - "Tha Silpakan" and "Tha Khlong Tham" - which convey the unique identity of the work; and 4) stage props, including flags, poles, white cloth, and a junk ship. Conclusion: The integration of historical data into contemporary Thai dance design demonstrates a systematic method for disseminating history through the performing arts. This approach represents how written records can be transformed into physical movements, thereby enhancing audience comprehension. A clear and harmonious design of performance components is essential for the effective execution of this method. Consequently, the creation of historical contemporary Thai dance serves as a vital means of sustaining national pride and preserving Thai cultural heritage for future generations.