Traditional music enhancing Thai-Japan relations
Earlier this month HE Bansarn Bunnag, the Thai ambassador to Japan, and his spouse Yupadee Bunnag hosted a reception at his residence in Tokyo. The “Kidtung Muang Thai Evening” welcomed former Japanese ambassadors to Thailand as well as several dignitaries and businessmen who once lived in Thailand. The evening was to bring back good memories for the guests as well as to strengthen the 130-year-old relationship between Japan and Thailand, an occasion that has been celebrated by many events over the past months.
Hidden in a small alley, the magnificent, newly renovated Royal Thai Embassy has been standing for 90 years. Back then, it was still owned by a Japanese tycoon family. In 1937, this beautiful Gothic building hosted the wedding between Pujie, the younger brother of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, and Saga Hiro, a Japanese noblewoman. About 80 guests attended the evening function at this historical mansion.
The highlight of “Kidtung Muang Thai” was a concert of traditional Thai music performed by a woman ensemble on a piano along with a Thai string ensemble. The beautiful chamber in the mansion was purposely constructed specially to accommodate the gorgeous, ivory-keyboard grand piano. The natural acoustics due to the beautiful beehive-like high ceiling suited the unique sound of the ensemble. An all-female ensemble of traditional Thai music wasn’t new: in the 1900s, an ensemble called Naree Srisumitr was formed and was the favourite entertainment at Phyathai Palace during the reign of King Rama VI.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo invited distinguished pianist Natchar Pancharoen, known for her pioneering work in the arranging Thai music for the piano, to perform.
Other members of the women ensemble premiered their performances together including Seesom Eamsunpang (low pitched Thai fiddle), Pimchanok Suwannathada (high pitched Thai fiddle and piano), Tretip Kamolsiri (Thai cymbals and piano) and Pasinee Sakulsurarat (percussion).
The programme of Thai tunes included Bulan Loyluen, Sud Sa-Nguan, Khamer Saiyoke, Patom Dusit and Lom Pad Chaikhao. The memorable night was marked by beautiful music underlining the long relationship between the two countries.