THAILAND: Traditional Nang Talung shadow puppet thetre fights for survival from Western entertainment influences

Record ID: 375624

  • Title: THAILAND: Traditional Nang Talung shadow puppet thetre fights for survival from Western entertainment influences
  • Date: 26th November 2000
  • Summary: VARIOUS: MAN PERFORMING BEHIND CANVAS/ MUSICIANS PLAYING /SINGING /MAN PLAYING FLUTE (5 SHOTS) CLOSE UP OF PERFORMER'S HANDS DURING SHOW WS/CU: PEOPLE WATCHING SHOW/PUPPET SHOW (2 SHOTS) SV/CU: MAN PERFORMING BEHIND CANVAS/SINGING (2 SHOTS) SCU/CU: PUPPETS (2 SHOTS) VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE (3 SHOTS) CU: PUPPET SHOW
  • Embargoed: 11th December 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA1UR3FQK8F2SJYO1RJI1327NPC
  • Story Text: Thailand's traditional shadow puppet theatre, Nang Talung, is fighting for survival because of the influx of entertainment trends from the West.
    The ancient art of shadow puppet theatre is facing a bleak future in Thailand.
    Thailand's younger generation cares little for the art - preferring western imports for entertainment. To them, the graceful movements of the puppets are slow and boring.
    The shadow puppet theatre is believed to have made its way to Thailand from the Indonesian island of Java in the late 19th century.
    During the reign of King Rama V, the shadow puppets were given the royal seal of approval when a group of puppet masters began performing for the king. The show then grew in popularity as travelling shows were put on throughout the country.
    The puppets are painstakingly made from ox or buffalo skin and after a picture is drafted onto the hide, sharp tools are used to etch in detail.
    The puppets are then painted and put on a bamboo handle.
    Any part that needs movement has a small stick and an elastic band, so that the master can control it.
    The few remaining masters (performers) of shadow puppet theatre say the art is under threat from neglect.
    "Today, very few Thai young people have interest in making these puppets because they consider it boring. Even my son told me that he is not going to do what I have been doing as he think he would be bored. Young people don't really care about puppets," said 62-year-old Sompot Parapeng who has been making puppets for more than 40 years.
    While the art may appear to be a dying one, the puppet shows still attract tourists and spectators at village fairs.
    And some puppet masters say they are confident the art will survive and that the future is not as dismal as some believe.
    "I think that no other culture or influence including Western modern culture could overshadow Thai shadow puppet theatre because we still have a loyal audience. I strongly believe that our long tradition will preserve the show and stay with Thai people forever," said 45-year-old puppet master Chukiet Khewsua.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register