THE DEVELOPMENT OF PIPHAT MON ENSEMBLE IN MUANG DISTRICT, SUPHAN BURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This academic article aims to study the role and the development patterns of Piphat Mon Ensemble in Muang District, Suphan Buri Province from the past until the present. The findings shows that the role of Piphat Mon Ensemble playing in funeral rites is to create artistic melodic atmosphere during the Intermission time from the official rite with a purpose to reduce the feeling of loneliness and relieve sorrow. After the monks’ night rite ends, Piphat Mon Ensemble plays until 10 pm. and starts playing again around 5 am at dawn of the next day. It is the role and traditional ritual of Piphat Mon Ensemble in Muang District, Suphan Buri Province that has been usually practiced for long time. Nowadays there are also some modified patterns of the Piphat Mon Ensemble such as using LED lights to decorate the musical instruments and setting the instruments in the Ensemble higher by using the stands with beautiful and colorful curtain decoration and nice costumes of the musicians which are changed daily to suit each funeral context. Moreover, synthetic leather is used as the skin top surface of the drum instead of the genuine leather to save cost. In addition, there is a show called Poeng Mangkok instrument which is a performance to show off how skillful the drum player is to draw the audience’s attention. This performance will bring reputation and fame to the band.