Khon gets an institute

Thanks to Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit, the Fine Arts Department has established an institute devoted to khon.

Khon is a Thai classical mask dance.

HM's immense interest

Her Majesty has expressed immense interest in the art. Under her auspices, new costumes and props have been created for khon performances.

The Queen is determined to pass on the khon art - including mask-making techniques - to the younger generations.

"In response to Her Majesty's intention to conserve this art, we have set up the Institute of Khon," Fine Arts Department director-general

Kriangkrai Sampatchalit said at a press conference yesterday.

The institute is situated on the compound previously occupied by the College of Dramatic Arts near Sanam Luang.

Kriangkrai says the Institute of Khon will become the centre for everything related to the classical mask dance.

Modern archive

"We will develop a modern archive about khon. We will also put on show khon costumes and props," he says.

He adds that the institute will work with other educational institutes in not only promoting performances but also producing khon artists.

The institute is now up and running under a budget of Bt804,800.

"We will officially inaugurate the Institute of Khon in December," Kriangkrai says, and adds that the institute should attract 50,000 each year.

The Fine Arts Department will soon set up a board for the institute, with members comprising khon experts and other specialists.

Provincial tours

Office of Performing Arts director Karun Suttipoon says the Fine Arts Department will organise a tour to promote the Institute of Khon.

"The first show will be staged on September 1 in the central region," he says.

The tour will then head |to Suphan Buri, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Sukhonthai and Nakhon Ratchasima, where it |is scheduled to end on September 28.