Khon
Evolution & Transmission
The purpose and context of Khon dance in the community largely changed due to social demand. From being a royal property, it has become a part of Thailand’s cultural heritage.
The source of transmission has evolved from royal courts and dance masters’ households to educational institutions (Kochetkova, 2023). With the aim to reach out to young people, training and performance clubs were also established in effort to maintain the continuity of Khon (Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage, n.d.).
In the past...
As a part of the Thai king’s coronation activities, the traditional Milk Ocean Stirring Ceremony has helped to shape Khon dance.
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Khon dance aimed to glorify the new king and ensure people’s loyalty to the monarch
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The dance is entirely taken care of by the royal patronage
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A form of high entertainment as the dancers were the royal soldiers trained in court
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(Kochetkova, 2023)
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Usually an outdoor performance
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Serves as a part of social practices such as royal cremation, the cremation of a high-ranking person or revered monks, the celebration of sacred sites, birthdays, and the opening of new businesses.(Klunchun, 2020)
Current day...
There are 3 strategies taken to transmit Khon dance to the younger generation and wider community.
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Government Support
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Educational System
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Royal Patronage
(Sowat, 2018)
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On top of the 3 main branches to transmit Khon, the Department of Cultural Promotion also had activities lined up to celebrate Khon.
In 2019, it was split up into 3 parts:
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Activities to honour individuals and organisations that help advance Khon activities
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Activities to promote greater awareness of Khon’s various forms, including seminars, printed media publicity, a book about Khon, a Ramayana animation, Khon exhibitions and online publicity
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Organising Khon performances in Bangkok and provincial areas.​​
(Luxury Society Asia, n.d.)
Past VS Present
How do the 3 strategies help?
Government Support
Khon dance is considered a national cultural heritage to be preserved. Khon symbolises the national culture of Thailand.
The government maintains transmission of Khon dance through providing conservatories and institutes that focus on curating knowledge and practice in Thai classical performing arts.
Examples of government-led organisations that have been established:
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Office of Performing Arts
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The Bunditpatanasilpa Institute
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College of Dramatic Arts
(Sowat, 2018)
Educational System
Khon dance was mainly transmitted through oral tradition in the past.
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Took place in the royal court
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Transmitted only within a small community
While the structure of transmission has changed, the method and content of Khon dance is the same. Being taught using the oral tradition equips students with not only the knowledge but tradition of Khon dance.
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e.g: learning the piece in the Phrommas repertoire also means learning how to perform appropriately alongside broader musical transitions.
Modern technology is also used. Current Thai music students use recording equipment to memorise the repertoire from the master. However, oral transmission is still the main mode of learning as the recording notation is only used to revise the piece after having learnt it.
The roles of the master and student are strictly followed.
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The master is the “model respected by the learner”
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The student is the “imitator who should pay respect to the master at the same time”
(Sowat, 2018)
Royal Patronage
Royal support is directly involved in the continuation of Khon.
The Royal Khon Performance has been arranged annually since 2007 where different khon episodes are performed. It increased the popularity of khon performance but also brought back Thai classical crafts to life.
(Sowat, 2018)..
References
Klunchun, P. (2020, September 24). Re:Moving with Pichet Klunchun. Esplanade Offstage. https://www.esplanade.com/offstage/arts/re-moving-with-pichet-klunchun
Klunchun, P. (2020). Pichet Klunchun [Photograph]. Esplanade Offstage. https://www.esplanade.com/offstage/arts/re-moving-with-pichet-klunchun
Kochetkova, M. (2023, April 29). Khon — The Art of Thai Dance. Daily Art Magazine. https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/thai-dance/
Luxury Society Asia. (n.d.). ‘Khon’ Masked Dance Drama — Activities Planned For 2019. https://www.luxurysocietyasia.com/khon-masked-dance-drama-activities-planned-for-2019/
Sowat, S. (2018, September). Thai Classical Music for the Phrommas Episode in Khon Performance. University of York Music. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/23075/1/Suchada%20Sowat-Thai%20Classical%20Music%20for%20the%20Phrommas%20Episode%20in%20Khon%20Performance.pdf
Thongdech, P. (2024). Pimjan Thongdech [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/C1rM4A2JhZh/?img_index=1
Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage. (n.d.). Khon, masked dance drama in Thailand. https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/khon-masked-dance-drama-in-thailand-01385