THE STUDY OF A HISTORICAL JOURNEY FOR THAI MUSIC COMPOSITIONAL PROCESS : THE JOURNEY OF SHEIK AHMAD FROM PERSIA TO AYUTTHAYA

Abstract

         This article is part of a doctoral research entitled "Thai Music Composition: The Journey of Sheik Ahmad." The objective is to investigate the journey of Sheik Ahmad who gave an inspiration to this creative music composition: the Journey of Sheik Ahmad. By using a qualitative research methodology, the author analyzes historical and musical information collected from document research, fieldwork, interviews, composing music and launching performances.

         The findings show that four import concepts which are the essence of this music compositional process consist of semi-legendary narratives of Sheik Ahmad’s journey, the concept of Sheik Ahmad’s birthplace, the concept of Persian music culture, and the concept of camel behaviors in Persian culture.  It is arguably debated that Sheik Ahmad began his journey from Kune, Astarabad region, Persian kingdom (Iran at present) to Ayutthaya in the late period of King Naresuan the Great by using camels and sloop ships as their vehicles. The music composition consists of 4 consecutive pieces: (1) Prathomkuna depicted the imaginary journey from Persia with remembrance of homeland; (2) Maraka Sadudee pay respect to the land where a legendary figure took off on a caravan of camels; (3) Chonlatheepannana depicting the sea journey that is full of uncertainty, endlessness, and danger;  (4) Pachimawan Kayi  featuring the moment when the travelers arrived Ayutthaya safely. By interpreting the meanings of the word Kayi, two meanings are doubled. First it refers to Tha Kayi sub-district.  The second meaning refers to the body. Tha Kayi was the destination that Sheik Ahmad reached. By interpreting the word kayi as the body, which referred to the body of Sheik Ahmad in an abstract meaning, It could be compared to Sheik Ahmad’s posthumous virtues and his name which still resonates unceasingly.