The Development of Traditional Thai Theatre Costume of Surat Jongda’s Costume House

พัฒนาการรูปแบบเครื่องแต่งกายโขน-ละครไทยของบ้านเครื่องคุณสุรัตน์ จงดา

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the development of traditional Thai theatre costumes and to study the process of creating traditional Thai theatre costumes of Surat Jongda’s Costume House based on documents, interviews and participatory observations. The data were then collected and analyzed. It was found that the development of traditional Thai theatre costumes and the process of creating traditional Thai theatre costumes of Surat Jongda’s Costume House can be divided into 4 phases. The first phase is to study traditional Thai theatre costumes of Department of the Performing Arts in the reign of King Rama VI and apply them to the costumes of the Chintanarumit Khon performances at Chalermkrung Sala Theatre as well as at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. The second phase is to study the characteristics of embroidery patterns from the fragments of Thai theatre costumes as well as the paintings in the early Rattanakosin period to design and apply to the costumes of the performances in the Wat Arun Festival. The third phase is to work with Arporn Ngam Dance Theater to revive ancient Thai theatre costumes and learn how to choose fabrics, use colors and embroider traditional fabrics. The fourth phase is to work with the Support Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand and a panel of experts to revive and preserve traditional Thai Khon costumes and dramas, to study the process of making Khon-Thai drama traditional costumes, and to use materials and techniques of ancient embroidery methods for the royal pantomime. The results reveal that Khun Surat Jongda has played a role in creating traditional Thai theatre costumes by engaging in the studies, research and experiments to create and fulfill the wishes of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother in restoring and preserving traditional Thai theatre costumes. The traditional Thai theatre costumes created according to the ancient style of Surat Jongda's Costume House have been recognized for their beauty as evident from the Royal Khon performances that have been performed continuously and maintained their popularity until the present day.