Prof. Sanchai Uaesilapa, chairperson of the Department of Music and Performing Arts at Burapha University, was at TNUA for a month-long chair professorship, during which he explained the development of dance in Thailand.
He also arranged a cross-department performance of traditional Thai dance at the Lotus Pond Stage on June 7. His stay at TNUA allowed its teachers and students to understand and experience the essence of traditional Thai dance.
The chair professors gave lectures at the Department of Dance, the Department of Traditional Music and the Department of Theatre Design and Technology, introducing the history and background of Thai music and dance.
He also demonstrated the art of playing Ja-Khe, Sor and other traditional Thai musical instruments, as well as the art of making traditional Thai costumes.
He explained that the traditional Thai costumes must be tailor-made for dancers. The bright-colored court costumes are formed by long pieces of exquisitely dyed and embroidered fabrics.
The costumes must fit the dancers tightly and are tailor-made for each of the dancers right before a performance. The dancers must then wear the costumes through the entire performance.
For the performance at the Lotus Pond Stage, it involved five teachers and students from the Department of Music, six students from the Department of Dance and four students from the Department of Theatre Design and Technology.
Three dances were presented: "The Kinnaree Bathing," a work created by choreographer Paew Samitwongsaenee; traditional court dance "Rama"; and "Phu Thai," a dance from the northeast region of Thailand.