THAI KHON MASK

THAI KHON MASK
Khon is a traditional most sophisticated form of Thai masked drama which combines gracefulness with masculinity in its dancing and singing. It is believed to have been performed since the Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767). Most khon performances feature episodes from the Ramakien, the Thai version of an Indian epic Ramayana. The Khon roles are male humans, female humans, monkeys and demons. The latter two are dominant ones. Traditionally, all its performers wore masks and all the speaking and singing were done by the reciters and the singers sitting at one side of the stage with the Thai orchestra.

Photo: Khon Dance in Germany 2006

The stories played in Khon presentations are invariably those of "Rama", a reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu who is the hero in the Hindu epic Ramayana and its Thai version Ramakian. A greater part of the epic is concerned with the protracted war between Rama the righteous king and Thotsakan the king of demons, which is touched off by the abduction of Rama's beloved consort by the Demon King. The drama is therefore full of love, magic and war scenes.