Thailand_Hun Krabok(Traditional Puppet Theater)

Hun Krabok is Thailand's traditional puppet theater, which has endured since the reign of King Narai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the seventeenth century. Hun Krabok generally depicts episodes or fables found in literature, with the main puppets classified as pra, nang, yak, ling, and joker. Each puppet holds a dancing pose in one hand and a weapon in the other. This video depicts the story of a Hun Krabok troupe that 1s currently facing the risk of closure, as well as the production and performance techniques for the puppets featured in this traditional performing art. #thailand #culturalheritage #puppetshow Official: https://www.unesco-ichcap.org/ Facebook:   / ichcap   Instagram:   / unesco_ichcap   Script Hun Krabok puppetry It is a traditional form of puppetry in Thailand. The puppetry was once famous among Thai audience because it was amusing and humorous. As an old form of performing art, today, the hun krabok puppetry is facing a difficulty to survive. It is no longer a preferable form of entertainment for the new generation in this rapidly changing world. Many of the hun krabok troupes have died out and the puppets are merely displayed in the showcase as collective items. To survive in the modern world, a young puppet troupe must take some steps away from the tradition and redefines itself to the contemporary world. The troupe is challenging the young generation of audience by collaborating the traditional puppetry with modern theatrical media. to make the hun krabok a comeback. According to the literary evidences, the puppet performance has existed since early 17th century during Ayutthaya Period, in the reign of King Narai. In the “Namiraj Kloan Suad,” a classical literature of Ayutthaya, mentions the puppet performances both Thai and Javanese. However, the current form of the puppetry called “hun krabok” was invented only in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, in the late 19th century. Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the King’s brother, mentions in his memoir that the hun krabok puppet was being performed in the northern region of the country, in the area of Sukhothai and Uttaradit provinces at that time. He credited the puppet to a local artist named Nai Neng who, upon seeing the Hainanese puppet show, came up with the Thai version of the dolls. Hun krabok puppet was developed in the reign of King Rama V. It was adapted from Hainan puppet. According to the record of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, it was developed first in the northern region, in the area of Sukhothai, Nakhorn Sawan, Tak, and Pitsanulok Provinces today. The prince who traveled to the region at that time saw the performance there. Scholars believe that it was Nai Neng’s troupe. Later on, Mom Rajawong Tao Payakasena, the prince’s chamberlain, upon seeing the performance, recreated the puppetry in Bangkok. People called it “hun krabok” because the central rod of the puppets was made of bamboo stem or “krabok.” The chamberlain troupe was named after him “Hun Khun Tao” troupe. Hun Khun Tao troupe became the precedent of all other puppetry troupes such as “Mae Kru Kleub” troupe, “Khun Yai Sarai” troupe, “Cherd Chu Chamnansilp” troupe, and “Khun Rat” troupe. Another prominent troupe was “Nai Peak” troupe which was handed down to Nai Peak’s daughter, Cheun Sakulkaew, who passed on the art of puppetry to many students including Chakrabhan Posayakrit troupe, Tukka Tun troupe, and Surat Jongda troupe which are still active in puppetry performance. “Sinsamut stops and stares at the demoness. Why my mother looks so different today. She normally looks beautiful. With doubt, he jumps into the sea and asks. What kind of animal are you? Terrestrial or aquatic animal? He then leaps at the demoness.” The puppetry used to be very popular in Bangkok, firstly, because it was something new at that time. secondly, because the performance was rather fast, and thirdly, because the puppets are very beautiful. The puppets are made with elaborate costumes just like those of human dancers. With all these reasons, the hun krabok puppetry became so popular in Bangkok and beyond. The puppetry invented by Nai Neng from the northern region prevailed in Nakorn Sawan, Pitsanulok, Sukhothai, and Tak Provinces at that time. Today, there is still some local puppet troupe in that area such as the troupe of Chuen Imsombat in Nakorn Sawan Province. The Chor Charoensilp puppet troupe was founded by Grandma Cheun Imsombat. She first made the puppets and performed in this area before 1968, sometime between 1962-1963. In the old days, there were not many forms of entertainment. They were mainly the shadow puppet, the likay, and the hun krabok puppet. Grandma Cheun was a professional woodcarving artisan. She made Buddha images, and other sculpture. She was quite a leading artisan in her time. She spent 2 days or one week to carve one puppet. As a happy lady, her puppets also look happy with smiling face.