RITE OF PAYING HOMAGE TO THE TEACHERS OF KHON AND LAKHON AFTER THE THAI ROYAL SACRED CEREMONY FOR HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ THE GREST

Abstract

This Article aims to study the changes in details on how the Wai Kru Khon and lakhon ritual performs after the royal bestowed designation ceremony by His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. The result shows that the 5 Wai Kru Khon and Lakhon teachers were mainly using guidelines to conduct this royal ritual from Mr.Akom Sayakom; the ritual successor of former ceremony conductor in the reign of King Rama IV, PrayaNattakanurak (Tongdee Suwannaparot). By the way, there were 4 changing points in details which are; 1) Each teacher have changed the sequence of Naphat songs to be more appropriate in timing to perform the ritual in nowadays. 2) The Pan-ta-num dressing style of the ritual conductors can be differentiated in 2 ways, which are to tuck the ceremony sash into the left side hip and into the front of the belly. 3) To allows students to hold on to both side of the walkway white spread sheet during the teacher performs beginning and ending Naphat dancing ritual. 4) Some of the accessories and equipment can be different depending on each ritual conductor. Moreover, 2 of the 5 Rite teachers had their own unique way to perform the ritual. Mr.Udom Ungsutorn (Kulamethapon) had giving praise speech to H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great before the ritual, also using only 35 Naphat songs (from 44 songs) for timing purpose during the ritual. While Mr.Sombat Kaewsujarit worshiped gods by using summoning chants during the gamelan band performs Naphat song for each god, and do the summon by oral in Thai language. However, Wai Kru Khon and lakhon ritual still keeping the main important procedures which portrayed all of the knowledge and values of Thai ancestors, to continue inheriting them forever as the national cultural and intellect legacy.