History of the Female Characters in the Khon Masked Drama

Abstract

History of the Female characters in Khon Masked Drama is the doctoral dissertation of the Doctor of Philosophy degree Program in Thai Theatre and Dance, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University. The research result has indicated that Khon is the dramatically masked performance accompanied by the spectacular and characterizing music played by Pipat Ensemble (Thai traditional percussion ensemble). Traditionally, the performance of Khon is for the King, his royal family and the solid noblemen in both the royal ceremony and the significant ceremonies. The prosperity and declination of Khon performance in each period was depended on the patronage of the King, the government and the politics situation. The artistic role of the female character in Khon masked drama has been changed from men to authentic female performers when Khon has was transferred to be under the Fine Arts Department in 1935. Narrative scripts of the female characters in Khon masked drama derived from the Ramakien literature of Ayutthaya period and the royal literary work episodes of the Royal Ramakien of Chakri Dynasty. Khon masked drama is traditionally accompanied by the music provided by Pi Phat ensemble since Ayutthaya period to the present. Costumes of female characters in Khon masked drama have been designed by imitating the royal dresses and their patterns have been developed consistency with the necessity for Thai society from time to time.