‘Thua Sakkara’, Paying Homage to Phra That Phon Thong

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to 1) investigate the history of Phra That Phon Thong (the Phon Thong pagoda) and 2) to create Thai classical dance paying homage to Phra That Phon by studying the format and pattern of dance creation used in the homage ritual ceremony based on qualitative research methods. Research data were collected from related documents, textbooks, and local literature to be used for analysis and as an important concept for inventing Thai dance movements. The researcher has used the concept of the local dance pattern called Mae Bot I-san based on the style of Chawewan Damnoen (National Artist of Thailand), as a guideline for creating a new dance performance by using a total of eight actors: four men and four women dressed in I-san costume style. The performance created is divided into three parts expressing particular meaning as follows: 1) the history of Phra That Phon Thong, 2) paying homage to Phra That Phon Thong, and 3) making a wish and celebration for the pagoda.

The research showed that Phra That Phon Thong is the pagoda created based on Buddhist belief; the pagoda was contained with the ashes of the eight Buddhist saints and became a spatial anchor for local people. The researcher has created the dance developed from 10 dance figures from Ram Fon Mae Bot I-san (standard I-san dance figures) and 142 figures from fon (local dance) dance pattern synchronizing with musical unit; the dance figures included phrom si na, thotsakan lom nang, chan thiam mae, ka ten kon, khon kha yaeng, phiphek thawai khru, hong bin won, kinnari chom dok, hanuman thawai waen, and un manora. This dance was made to produce one of the most valuable dance performances for the performing art community.