Chuychai Phangkhee Dance: the Popularity of Phadang-Nang-ai Literature to the Creation of Traditional Dance Process

Abstract

This article focused on an analysis of the creative Thai traditional dance entitled “Chuychai
Phangkhee Dance” to present the concept and the creative process of the performing of Phadang-Nang-ai which applied the Isan folk literature to create Thai traditional dance that conveyed the identity of Phangkhee character. The results revealed that the lyric of Chuychai Phangkhee Dance was uniquely created. The composition used Isan local language and sang with Chuychai (Puang) song and Mae-sri song without any imitated relics music instruments in each verse of the literature. The music would produce when finishing a verse of lyrics, after that Rew–La song was performed by Piphat band to display the sense of gracefulness, along with Isan lyrics for aesthetics. Choreography for male characters performed for Chuychai (Puang) and Mae-sri songs was based on classical standard dance of male character, combining with gesture, facial expression, and masculine-look moves. The overall move and dance depicted the
origin of the character (Naga). The costume was designed to follow the Naga origin by folding an Isan local fabric loincloth like a Naga tail, wearing cut-off T-shirt and accessories, especially Naga-shape hairpin. This traditional dance represented the concept and Isan cultural wisdom through Chuychai Phangkhee dance, which is worth for conserving, inheriting, and promoting and a valuable heritage of Thai traditional dance.