The Relationship Between Chaiya Mangala Gatha Chant and Pleng Ching type of Pleng Ruang

Abstract

This article entitles the relationship between Chaiya Mangala Gatha chant and Pleng Ching type of Pleng Ruang which aims to comparative study the forms of the chanting and musical performing of the Chaiya Mangala Gatha and occasions on which they take place. It is partly based on the data gathered for a doctoral thesis entitled “The Creative Musical Composition for the Chaiya Mangala Gatha in the Pleng Ching Type of Pleng Ruang”.  The present study found four aspects of the relationship between the chanting and musical performance of the Chaiya Mangala Gatha: structure, length, content and meaning. For structural relationship, both the chant and the song are derived from a compilation of chants and melodies of similar tunes. They both vary in length of Pali words in chants but share lyric melody relationship. The content relationship between the chant and the melodies is seen in their “repetition of the final phrase”. The study also found that both the chanting and the musical performance of the Chaiya Mangala Gatha usually take place on auspicious occasions which consequently result in a variety of chants and the choice of Pleng Ching used. Additional relationship and choosing chants in Pleng Ching performing may be inserted in the case where religious ceremonies last longer than usual.Keyword: Music compositio; Maharaj Bhumibol; Wind symphony orchestra