Lakhon nai

Lakhon nai
A Siamese theatrical group circa 1900
Part of a series on Dance drama of Southeast Asia
Burma
Yama Zatdaw
Cambodia
Lakhon Khol Lakhon Pol Srey Royal Ballet of Cambodia Yike
Indonesia
Bangsawan Barong Gambuh Kecak Ketoprak Kuda Lumping Legong Lenong Ludruk Ramayana Ballet Randai Reog Ronggeng Sandiwara Toneel Topeng Wayang wong
Laos
Classical dance and theatre
Malaysia
Bangsawan Boria Jikey Kuda Kepang Mak Yong Mek Mulung Menora Ulek Mayang
Philippines
Pangalay Singkil
Thailand
Khon Lakhon nai Lakhon chatri Lakhon nok Likay Manora
Vietnam
Nhã nhạc

Lakhon nai (Thai: ละครใน) is a performing art originating in the royal court of Thailand (formerly Siam). It features a slow choreography accompanied by a piphat ensemble. The repertoire of Lakhon Nai consists of only four epics; The Ramakian, Unarut (Aniruddha), Inao (Panji) and Dalang (a greater version of Inao).^[1] A variation of this genre with male performers is called lakhon nai phu chai (ละครในผู้ชาย).

Etymology

Lakhon nai is believed to be a contraction of lakhon nang nai (ละครนางใน), or 'theatre of the women of the palace.'^[2] It was also known as lakhon khang nai (ละครข้างใน, lit., theatre of the inner court) and lakhon nai phra ratchathan (ละครในพระราชฐาน, lit., theatre of [belonging to] the King).^[3]

History

According to James R. Brandon, lakhon nai stems from the court dance tradition of Cambodia of the 15th century; it later adapted dramatic aspects from lakhon nok (a fork of lakhon chatri) during the 1750s.^[4] Lakhon nai itself would later become the main influence on the classical court dance (Royal Ballet of Cambodia) in Cambodia during the 19th century.^[5] Lakhon nai came to be in its present form during the 18th century when the story of Inao became an important part of the repertoire.^[6]

References

Bibliography

• Brandon, James R. (1967). Theatre in Southeast Asia. Harvard University Press

Notes