Abstract:
The objectives of this research are to examine the presentation elements and styles of Thai dance that appear in the complementary show to support singer of Thai country musical band, and to study of the art of Thai dance that appears in such show. The study found no established pattern for the complementary show of Thai country musical band. In the beginning, there were only musicians who performed rhythmic instruments in accompaniment to the music. When Thai country music became popular and a large number of new bands were formed there was a need to compete for audiences attention, resulting in the bands investing large funds to transform themselves into more modern bands with spectacular complementary show to support singer. This style of complementary show has currently been introduced to secondary schools in the form of Thai country music school band contest. This form of contest, organized and promoted by the private sector, has become trendy and highly popular among the Thai country music circle. This study revealed that complementary show to support singer of Thai country musical band in educational institutes has significant impacts on the art of Thai dance and the conservation of Thai culture. Without any specifically established dance styles to follow, the Thai dance that appears in such complementary show is nothing but cheap imitation of the traditional art of Thai dance. It borrows from traditional Thai dance in terms of dance costumes, stage props and dance steps that have been modified from traditional Thai dancing gestures (nattayasap), especially the hand gestures of Jeeb and Tang Wong. As a profession, complementary show dancing has become a threat to society as it partially influences social values, attitudes towards the roles of Thai women and dancers personality development. Complementary show dancers were previously disapproved by society. After complementary show to support singer of country musical band was introduced to educational institutes it may affect the academic performance of dancer students. For private business organization, Thai country musical band contest among schools has become a successful marketing tool to create good public image; for the students, the contest allow them to combine new and traditional dancing culture into a new form of acceptable dance that meets the demand of educational institutes and private organizations. Further promotion of this activity in educational institutes may lead to improper image. Thai children and youth would be exposed to erroneous cultural values through inappropriate means of socialization. Participating in this form of complementary show has direct social impacts on children and youth.