Preservation of Local Community Dancing Style

Abstract

The article was aimed to study and preserve the traditional local dancing style in the north, south and northeast of Thailand. In the north, the dancing styles called Fonchoeng, Topbaphab were found. The 12 dancing styles and 42 dancing styles were taught by two national artists, Kum Kawai and Manop Yarana respectively. The 12 dancing styles called Fonmueangklai were taught by Pinluk Promsen. The traditional dancing styles were compiled to show and called Fonchandratevisrimungmuang. The dancing styles found in the south were primary Nora dancing style and Chaiya style and taught by Dhammanit Nikomrat who learned the 20 primary Nora dancing styles out of 38 styles of Khun Upathamnarakorn. The MaeMai Muaythai Chaiya style was taught by Napapop  Pramuan (Kru Plaeng) from the Muaythai Chaiya Ban Kru Plaeng Foundation. At Siamyut training center, there are 13 MaeMai Muaythai Chaiya dancing styles, which were compiled and applied to the show as Norachaiyarat. In the northeast, the study was on the local dancing style known as Fonphuthai Renunakorn in Nakornphanom province. The style was taught by Chaibodin Saleepun, the provincial folk artist. The style consisted of 20 dancing gestures. Dancing gestures were shown in the performance called Mattananakornrenu. These 3 different dancing styles were studied and documented for further retrieval and transmission as they were unique and distinctive local performances.  As a result, they were worth preserving for the posterity. In addition, the local community dancing styles and arts under the study could be inspirational to the coming generations to preserve and have a great pride in their cultural identity.