Thai Dance Creation Using Conservation and Creative Ideas for the New Generation

Abstract

The scope of this research is to study forms and concepts of producing Thai dance for the purposes of cultural preservation and creativity aiming at the new generation.The study places an emphasis on an investigation of Pendulum: East and West in a Life of Dance, a dance solo created by Narahpong Charassri. It was world premiered in 1983 in Wales, The United Kingdom.This study employs qualitative research methods by 1) Document survey 2) Attending a seminar 3) Interviews 4) Multi media 5) Field study 6) Experimental performances and evaluation of the performances 7) Reproduction of Pendulum: East and West in a Life of Dance, assessment and evaluation of the reproduction in order to find out the working procedure. 8) Criteria of traditional Thai Dance. The period of collecting data started from 1983 to September 2013. The study reveals that Pendulum: East and West in a Life of Dance is capable of representing Thai contemporary dance for the new generation in which constitutes the followings: (1) dialogue for telling a story; (2) a combination of Thai dance, ballet, and contemporary dance; (3) a soloist possessing performing versatility; (4) costume design on the basis of Thai and western cultural elements that must be changeable on stage; (5) usage of sound, Thai traditional music, and spoken words designed specifically to fit in a story; (6) efficient utilization of stage area; (7) lighting for guiding audience view; (8) symbolic implications of props.The three major concepts of constructing such a creative work of Thai dance contemporary with the purposes of cultural reservation for the new generation include: (1) using the concept of cultural diversity enhancing Thai culture to become eminent among other mainstream cultures creatively; (2) using symbols to communicate and to build performance aesthetics; (3) using technology and multi-media in a performance. The analysis confirmed these propositions.