SONGS FOR THAI CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY OF MR. CHAN KHAMVILAI’S SONGS

Abstract

Songs for Thai Children: A Case Study of Mr.Chan Khamvilai’s Songs is a study on background and analysis of songs for Thai children under the Ministry of Education from B.E. 2431 to B.E. 2494. The findings revealed that: 1) All 4 books of songs for Thai children by Mr.Chan Khamvilai were composed in cooperation with PhraChenduriyang (Piti Vâdyakara), Mr.Montri Tramot, and Mr.Chamras Khietkong. The songs accompanied with both Thai and western music instruments had been recorded on phonograph disc 78 rpm for teaching in the public schools nationwide. 2) Mr.Chan Khamvilai demonstrated his proficiency in
poetry writing and Thai language through more than 20 published pieces of work, including rewriting Thai intensive textbook and composing lyrics of the National Anthem of Siam (B.E. 2477); verse 3 and verse 4 which follow KhunVichitmatra (Sanga Kanchanakkhaphan)’s verses. 3) Songs for Thai Children: Mr.Chan Khamvilai’s Songs (Song Book No.1) have been composed with prosody structure of klonsi (a four - syllable verse poem), kapyani sip et (an eleven-syllable verse poem), and klonpleng (a type of Thai versification), with lyrics in 2/4 and 4/4 time signatures, a line sung over 4 - 20 bars, rhyme between words for ease of children’s remembering, F and G pentatonic scales, 1 octave (28 songs), and over 1 octave (3 songs). Lyrics mainly describe about nature, animals, environment around children, embracing virtue, and Thai children’s plays.