It is an Co-culture that has existed in Thailand culture about 2,000 years ago.
by calling performance like this as a Puppet Shadow Show Because humans have
brought leather to invent into various shapes of the character and then use the
shadows on white display, storytelling, music to entertain by showing Nang Yai
is a ancient show of Thailand. Because it is a performance that combines many
valuable arts. All of elements such as Puppet, puppeteer, music, story, voice actor
represents Ancestor's ability to coordinate various arts Together into a spectacular
show. So Puppet Drama Show become unique performance and culture of Thailand.
“ Leather ”
History about
Puppet
period 1 ... glorious
period 2 ... stagnant
period 3 ... reborn
period 4 ... continue
01
Glorious
The people who initiated the carving of the leather are
Phrakhru Sattha Sunthon
or Luang Pu Klom. Khanon temple had a lot of leather
from cow .because most of
the villagers in the period
have a career in agriculture
and using cattle labor work.
When the cow dies they will
cuts its skin and offers it to
the temple for make drum.
The first leather set of Wat Khanon
built known as "Hanuman offer ring"
but this puppet has only been shown
a few times then had to build new one. Because when being exposed to rain, the leather shrinks and creases. He therefore came up with a solution. Improved by various methods until finally be able solved the problem.
After that, a big movie was made.
many series. The last set is
"Tosakan in the city"
With his expertise in craftsmanship,
Khanon temple’s leather puppet
is beautiful, delicate and colorful
Until temple had puppet more than
400 pieces. It is considered that the
Khanon temple’s leather puppet is
successful. All types of puppet able
to play the whole Ramayana story.
02
Stagnant
Since Luang Pu Klom initiated the Khanon temple’s puppet show is really popular and got a reputation.
Until the reign of King Rama VI. Western culture came
to influence Thailand. Khanon temple’s puppet show began to have fewer audiences. Then WW2 comes to Thailand. Everything about entertainment had to stop because of the state of the country. Along with Luang
Pu Klom's death in 1942. Khanon temple’s puppet was left in temple without caring. it was bitten by a dog and through every weather. Everyone that had association with puppet was separated for a long time. The actor himself did not perform anywhere. Equipment that use in a show such as musical instruments, movie screens, etc. were broke and lost . Left everything about 30 yrs.
03
Reborn
After Khanon temple’s puppet
stopped The show for a long
time. Foreigners contact to buy Khanon temple’s puppet for many times. Temple and villagers refusing to sell it. And started to thinking about reserve puppet. They clean and move puppet to monk shelter. But with a wrong
treatment causing damage.
Later, Jaroen Chirapunyo the abbot of Khanon temple and
the villagers in the community have an idea to restore
Khanon temple’s puppet leather. and spread the value handicraft beauty therefore cooperated with academics organizing the exhibition Nang Yai Wat Khanon at River City Department Store, Bangkok It turned out to be unsuccessful.
Later, in 1989, Phrakhru
Sangha Boriban The abbot
of Khanon temple, Phra
Nuchit Wachiravut, and
Khanon temple committee
have received a royal letter
to meet with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. therefore presented a report about Khanon temple’s puppet.
His Majesty gave the royal initiative
to Khanon temple. To keep the puppet
and rebuild a puppets to represent
the original set of puppets and also
commanded the uninitiated young
inherit the puppets. as well as establishing a museum in the temple area to preserve the original puppet leather. and for educational purposes. The museum was completed in 1999.
04
monk and Phrakhru Phithak Silpakom
These two abbots of Khanon temple are starter. They see important in the continuation of Khanon temple’s puppet show. Since Khanon temple’s puppet has been discontinued for a long time because of World War II remain inherited Only within the family of people who have played it. But after the restoration of Khanon temple’s puppet people who assosiated began to come back to help restore puppet. The temple is responsible for taking care of the youth. and manage the new generation to come to work. Its become a tourist attraction. Important cultural properties of Ratchaburi province.
Continue
At present, Khanon temple’s puppet show considered as the entertainer that is succesful in performance. Who still adhere to the tradition strictly preserved traditional folk performances have puppet the largest number and the most complete wisdom and knowledge are transferred for the next generation of youth including puppet performances, Thai music and leather carving Currently, there are 313 pieces. Temples are considered treasures that’s belong to temple. That really worth and value in this day.
