PA PAEUNG PUENG MANG CREATIVE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This creative research-"Pa Paeung Pueng Mang" aimed to study the background and history of Mon race, concepts and elements of Pa Paeung Pueng Mang performance and to present the creative performance of Pa Paueng Pueng Mang. The study analysis of data from documents, textbooks, related literatures including an interview with teachers and specialists in creative choreographering and keep practicing regularly. The findings show that in the past Mon community was rich culturally prosperous but they were attacked by Burmeses because the Burmese would like to take over Mon’s arts and cultures with an intention attempt to expand their kingdom as well. This drive some Mon to emigrate from their homeland. Some Mons became war prisoners of war and some became refugees in the nearby countries such as the Mons who came to live under the sovereignty of Thai Kingdom. They have been allowed to live in Pakkred and Prapadaeng areas etc. Mons communities in Thailand can still conserve their characterized cultural heritages such as Thayae Mon performing, Mon dancing and also Mon’s native orchestra.

          The Mon native’s orchestra is a popular music of Mon’s bands in their communities and has been adapted and popularly performed in Thai society. The characteristics and uniqueness of Mon’s native orchestra are a combination of sad melody moaning rhythm, entertaining and impressive musical sound of Paueng Mang Kok which is a nice unique characteristic of performing in Mon’s music style which is fun and lively to audiences. Therefore, the researcher adapted this concept to develop a framework in this creative performance by using Paueng Mang as the main musical instrument to accompany the dancing. The performance was devided into 3 parts: the first part showed the variety of Paueng Mang performing by male players, the second part presented Mon females’ lifestyles and the last part showed the Mon males and females celebrating and courting each other. The dance moves in this performance were and the overall functions from Mon dancing in Prapadaeng and Pakkred with the neo-choreographering based on Mon culture. For the musical pieces in the performance was composed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Dussadee Meepom. In regard to the costumes, they were adapted from local Mon clothes used in daily lives and also from the outfits of Miss Songarn and Mister Loychai at Prapadaeng.