Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study the background, the development, and the elements of Rum Yey and to analyze and compare the elements of Rum Yey folk play of Kanchanaburi with Rum Yey dance of Fine Arts Department. The methods used in the research include studying from the documents and related researches, interviewing the experts, the performers, the musicians and the lecturer about the background, the development, and the elements of Rum Yey. It was found that Rum Yey originated from Kanchanaburi. From the evidence, it can be surmised that Rum Yey first appeared in Ayutthaya period together with the settlements of Ban Kao, Muang district, Nong Kao, Tha Muong dictrict, Nong Rong, Phanom Thuan district, where Rum Yey folk play has existed until today. As Rum Yey of Ban Kao, Muang district was dull and less popular, Fine Arts Department then try to conserve and adapt it as Fine Art Department style. The research found that Rum Yey folk plays in 3 districts of Kanchanaburi can be divided into two styles; 1) the original style which is the way to court with song and dance. The singers which are called Pho Pleang Mae Pleang will sing to lead other people and the dancers only take charge of dancing not singing. People play Rum Yey to relax from the farm works. The dance patterns used in include Norn Wan, Ton and other postures in villagers style. The performers clap the hands following the rhythm. Later, the musical instruments have been brought to accompany the play then developed to the tom-tom band. For the costume, they dress like the central folk people. 2) the applied style called Rum Klong Pha or Rum Pad Pha which came from the original Rum Yey but added the fabric as a symbol of engagement between lovers. Rum Yey of Fine Arts Department was adapted the dance patterns from the applied Rum Yey of Ban Kao, Muang district. It used the original dance patterns as a particular style such as Sod Soi, Pala, Nang Non. The fabric is also used as the performances element. Rum Yeys steps are resemble in general but have some different steps depending on each region. The steps include 1) Wai Khru ceremony 2) tom-tom prelude 3) Rum Wai Khru accompanied by tom-tom3) Pho Pleang Mae Pleang (singers) and dancers performance. The singers debate to each other by singing. The repertoire starts with Bot Kreun (the introduction), Bot Chom Nang (admiring the lady), Bot Lak Ha Pa Nee (running away together) and Bot La (the farewell). A couple dances and joyfully pays court to each other then changes a partner after a while. The performance finishes when the singers sing the farewell song Bot La. The identity and value of Rum Yey include the song that ends every paragraph with the word Oei, tramping with the left foot before the right foot all over the song and using the fabric as the performances equipment. Rum Yey is the precious art and culture worth succeeding and conservation as it is useful to the society and can produce the entertainment, the harmony, and convey the lifestyle, costume, tradition, culture and language that the ancients created since the past till the present.