THE CREATION OF THE CONTEMPORARY FOLK DANCE FROM BAI SRI SU KWAN (ISAN BLESSING CEREMONY) “WAD FORN TON HOM KHWAN”

Abstract

The Contemporary Folk dance “Wad Forn Ton Hom Khwan” Constitutes creative research which is inspired by an examination of the “Bai Sri Su Khwan Dance in its previous three iterations, wherein distinctive creative methodologies prompted the exploration of a form of Bai Sri Su Khwan dance that is singular to the researcher. This article examines the concept of contemporary folk dance derived from the Bai Sri Su Khwan ceremony, specifically “Wad Forn Ton Hom Khwan.” The researcher has conducted a thorough analysis utilising textbooks, journals, interviews, and observations to inform the creative process, emphasising the arm-tying blessing, a pivotal aspect of the ceremony, alongside the societal values of the current era to be showcased in this performance. The outcomes of developing contemporary folk dances are categorised into two segments: 1) the narrative of the performance derived from the analysis of the Bai Sri Su Khwan ceremony data, and 2) the choreography and direction of the movements based on the examination of documents, textbooks, interviews, and observations, which include 1) the conceptualisation of movement direction from imagination, 2) the principles of Isan dance postures, 3) the framework of contemporary folk dances, and 4) the creation of aesthetically pleasing imagery. This research highlights that the creation of contemporary folk dance must prioritize reflecting the present, as each era's aesthetics are constantly evolving.