For close to forty years, Chulalongkorn University has been spearheading initiatives to protect piphat dukdamban, an uncommon Thai classical music ensemble distinguished by its gentle, subdued tone, guaranteeing that this distinctive musical heritage is handed down to future generations via instruction, investigation, and live shows.
Held each year on March 26 as part of the university’s anniversary festivities, this concert ranks among the rare chances for the general public to encounter this almost-forgotten musical practice. This year’s presentation involved more than 150 instrumentalists, singers, and dancers who devoted over three months to rehearsal for the show.
Contrasting with the bright, forceful sound of the conventional piphat group commonly heard during Thai ceremonies and khon performances, piphat dukdamban is noted for its delicate, profound, and elegant tones. This ensemble came into being during the era of King Rama V after Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs took cues from European opera and reimagined the classic piphat orchestra using milder instruments and fresh musical ideas. Chao Phraya Thewet Wongwiwat subsequently created a new theatrical style in which performers acted and vocalized simultaneously, producing a Thai opera-style presentation for visiting international officials.
Though this tradition prospered in the late 1800s, it slowly vanished following the shutdown of the Dukdamban Theatre and shifting societal circumstances that diminished performance chances. By the middle of the twentieth century, only a handful of practitioners remained.
The resurgence kicked off in 1985 when Chulalongkorn University initiated a focused preservation effort in anticipation of the 60th birthday celebration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great. The institution brought together top Thai music scholars and expert musicians to record the repertoire and instruct a fresh wave of performers. Starting in 1987, piphat dukdamban has been staged yearly at Chulalongkorn University, evolving into a hallmark cultural tradition.
Keeping piphat dukdamban alive demands proficient musicians, ongoing institutional backing, and audiences willing to sustain the tradition, as stated by Kunchit Jitratan, Director of the CU Office of Art and Culture. Chula has worked to guarantee all three by embedding the repertoire into the curriculum of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, making sure every Thai music student studies it. Through its Office of Art and Culture, the university also maintains one of Thailand’s most extensive collections of Thai music resources, which includes instruments, recordings, research papers, photographs, and archival documents accessible to the public.
Read the full article at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/411366/
Chula Communication Center
Chulalongkorn University
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