PIPAT MON OF DONTRI-SANOR FAMILY

Abstract

This research named “Pipat Mon of Dontri-Sanor Family”, which belongs to ethnomusicology, aims at studying the band’s history along with how knowledge is passed on and transmitted, after gathering data from both written documents and field research. The study reveals that Nai Si, the school’s significant forefather who migrated from Mottama to Thailand with a Mon gong that is still worshipped as a spiritual ancestor by all members, approximately founded the band in 1888. After that his son named Nai Juen, whom Master Si deliberately taught musical knowledge and all playing techniques till he became well-known, had a chance to perform this Mon piphat in King Rama V’s funeral ceremony in 1913 and in the funeral ceremony of H.R.H. Sukhuman Marasri the Princess Consort, H.R.H. Prince Paribatra Sukhumband’a mother, in 1928. He was received the surname “Dontri-sanor” from H.R.H. Prince Paribatra Sukhumband, as well. At the present the 4^th generation organizes two major schools, Ban Mai Hang Kraben School in  Ayutthaya Province and Ban Attaruek School in Pathum Thani Province. Both of them strictly keep Mon customs, belief, rituals and other musical traditions as well as the ancestor’s particular styles and techniques in order to continuously run the bands and firmly serve the society till today.