Abstract:
The objectives of the present thesis, entitled Performances of Female Characters in The Khon Masked Drama, are to examine the dance characteristics of the female characters in the Khon performance of Ramayana focusing on the leading female characters of the epic and its specific episodes, and to analyze the social contexts influencing their dance characteristics. The Manudharmasastras views on the position of women and the dance theories of India were used to identify the dance characteristics of the Khon female characters. The principal research techniques employed were: documentary research, interview, participation in seminars and discussions on Khon performance which were organized by the Department of Fine Arts and other organizations, watching Khon performance, and learning to perform the dances of female Khon characters from a master dance artist. The dance characteristics of female Khon characters were then analyzed in their social contexts, compiled into a thesis to be disseminated as research articles in national/international journals. หะ from by the Department of Fine Arts and other organizations, watching Khon performance, and learning of Khon female charac The research found that Nang Khon or the female characters in the Khon performance of the Thai Ramayana, which are influenced by the female roles in the Indian Ramayana, can be classified by their birth into five categories of female angels, female humans, female non-humans, giantess and half-breed females. When considered from the five dance factors of appearance, personality, dance gestures, expression of emotions and energy, the dance characteristics of female Khon characters can be divided into three groups: those who use the dance gestures for female humans, those who use the dance gestures for giantess, and those who use the dance gestures for female humans and animals. Each of these groups adopts the principal and standard dance gestures of Thai dance performance that are appropriate to their specific roles. The dance characteristics of present-day Female Khon characters are significantly influenced by the female characters of Lakorn performance following the fact that the male dancers who used to perform the female roles in the past were replaced by real female dancers. The inclusion of Lakorn-style of singing and dancing into todays Khon performance has also contributed to the changing dance characteristics of female Khon characters.