The Significance of Phlai Chumphon’s Battle Scene in the Fine Arts Department’s Khun Chang Khun Phaen Performance

Abstract

     This article aims to study the significance of the battle in the drama Khun Chang Khun Phaen as performed by the Fine Arts Department through a qualitative research approach. The researcher analyzed data from the study of documents, textbooks, scripts, fieldwork, in-depth interviews, observations, and self-practice. The first author learned Phlai Chumphon’s battle choreography from Professor Patchara Buathong, a retired officer of the Office of Performing Arts (Fine Arts Department), who traces her lineage to Thanpuying Plaew Sanitwongseni. The methods used for the research were unstructured interviews and participant observation.

     The results of the research found that in the study of the significance of the battle with Phlai Chumphon, the battle plays an important role on four aspects: 1. Generating excitement and dramatic tension for the audience; 2. Showing the skills and abilities of the performers in a battle; 3. Conveying aesthetic “rasa” (emotion flavor) to the audience; 4. Reflecting the development of Phlai Chumphon and the factors that contributed to the importance of Phlai Chumphon’s battle by analyzing the character’s background, education, and specific abilities. Phlai Chumphon therefore has a unique identity of importance in battles that stands out, with 2 types of battle characteristics as follows: 1. In terms of magic spells, Phlai Chumphon is an expert in magic spells that he learned from the old abbot of Wat Kapangthong. He is able to use magic spells in battle with his opponents. These include a spell that uses water to extinguish fire of Phra Wai, a spell to awaken weapons with special supernatural powers, a spell that remembers the enemy's past lives, a spell to enchant rice and water, and a spell to transform into animals. 2. In terms of weapons, Phlai Chumphon is an expert in using weapons and is very agile. His ability to use weapons against his opponents includes the ability to use spears, swords, knives, and the ability to fight with bare hands. This research article helps to increase knowledge and understanding about the significance of warfare in historical, social and cultural contexts, which will benefit the study of dance.