Nora, dance drama in southern Thailand (Thailand)
Nomination: Representative List 2021
EN: Nora performers from fourteen southern provinces perform “Ram Nora Bot Prathom” with the movement “Pra Chan Song Klot” at Nora Southern Festival, in Nakhon Si Thammarat. This performance shows the robust and flexibility of bodies reflecting from their hard practices.
EN: “Ram Tham Bot” is an advanced level of Nora art. Senior Nora performer, Khaem Praditsin, demonstrates the movement of “Bot Phan Na” at Amphoe Nuea Khlong, Krabi Province.
EN: “Phuk Pha Khrop Serd” or the crowning initiation ceremony during the “Nora Rong Khru Ceremony” at Thaksin University in Khao Rup Chang Sub-district, Songkhla Province, is performed to acknowledge individuals as complete Nora artists.
EN: Nora master invocates sacred verse while sharpens the 7 spears before killing the crocodile called “Chalawan”. It is Nora ritual derived from a scene in a folk tale “Kri Thong”, performed by Nora Term at Khok Samankhun Temple, Songkhla Province.
EN: Full Nora costume, known as “Khrueang Ton” demonstrated by Nora Master Thummanit Nikomrat.
EN: Craftsperson concentrates on making Nora costume by stringing colorful beads in the famous three-to-three pattern which produces strong and splendid beaded costumes with distinct patterns.
EN: Five musicians play Nora instruments; from left to right; “pi” (Southern Thai oboe), “mong” (gongs) and “ching” (small cymbals) which played by one person, “klong” (drum), “thap” (twin drums), and “trae” (wooden clapper). They are vital components to the tradition.
EN: Four musicians play 5 pieces of Nora instruments; from left to right; “thap” (twin drums), “klong” (drum), “mong” (gongs) and “ching” (small cymbals) which played by one person and “pi” (Southern Thai oboe).
EN: Nora Master Thummanit Nikomrat teaches dance movement “Yok Sung Samoe Na” to students from Maha Wachirawut at the Institute for Southern Thai Studies, Thaksin University.
EN: Nora Master Thummanit Nikomrat teaches Nora dance movement called “Phleng Kho” to twenty youths from Tanot Duan Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Khuan Khanun, Phatthalung Province.
