MUSIC / 'HOM RAK HOM RONG'

A celebration of 'ranad' past and present

When Hom Rong (The Overture), a film about the life and work of Luang Pradit Phairoh (Sorn Silpabanleng), was released in 2004, it not only did very well at the local box office but also gave rise to something dubbed the "Hom Rong phenomenon" - with youngsters scrambling to enrol in ranad (wooden xylophone) classes and a general rekindling of interest in the slow-moving Thai classical music of yesteryear.

Starting this Sunday, the Luang Pradit Phairoh Foundation, in conjunction with On Art Gallery, will hold a month-long event entitled "Hom Rak Hom Rong" in celebration of this much-loved movie and ranad music in general. The event will start with a merit-making ceremony in the morning in remembrance of Khunying Chin Silpabanleng, the eldest daughter of Luang Pradit and doyenne of the local classical-music scene in her day who, in 1981, established the foundation to keep that tradition alive.

Among the treats lined up for fans of this genre will be: an exhibition on the life and work of Luang Pradit; a series of performances by musicians, both contemporary and traditional; a talk by those involved in making the film including Hom Rong leading man Anuchit Sapanpong, who studied the ranad in preparation for the role, and talented director Itthisunthorn Vichailak; plus a demonstration of prachan wong, a sort of musical duel between two ranad players during the course of a performance. Enthusiasts will also get the chance to rub shoulders with accomplished musicians like flautist Thanit Sriklindee and the To-sanga brothers: Narongrit, who played Khun In in Hom Rong; and his younger brother, Chaiyuth, known to admirers as "Ranad Namkhang". Also displaying their talents during "Hom Rak Hom Rong" will be promising young musicians placed first in contests run by the Khun Phra Chuay TV programme.

The exhibition will feature a display of Luang Pradit memorabilia including ranad owned by the maestro, sheets of music bearing handwritten notes of his, plus old photographs.

The exhibition will be open to the public every day this month. All the other activities will take place on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. The venue is the foundation's premises near Vichaiyuth Hospital in the Samsen area. All are welcome to attend and admission is free.

Call 02-619-7304 or 08-1528-2782 for more information.

A MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION

- February 4

11am - Merit-making ceremony at the HQ of the Luang Pradit Phairoh Foundation in tribute to the late Khunying Chin Silpabanleng and other teachers of classical Thai music.

4:30pm - "Ranad" performance by Narongrit To-sanga.

5pm - "From Than Khru* to Hom Rong", a talk by Sanan Silpabanleng (son of Luang Pradit), Itthisunthorn Vichailak (director of the film) and Anuchit Sapanpong (lead actor in "Hom Rong").

(* "Than Khru" is a very respectful way to address a teacher; in Thai music circles the honorific is used to refer specifically to Luang Pradit.)

- February 9

5pm - A talk by teacher Chanok Sagarik on ways of carrying on Luang Pradit's work, plus a "khim" (dulcimer) performance by students from the foundation's music club.

- February 10

5pm - "Plaeng Khru Ku Samai", adaptations by contemporary musicians of pieces composed by Luang Pradit, plus a performance by the Korphai ensemble and string quartet under the baton of Prof Kowit Kanthasiri.

- February 11

5pm - "Burapa Phiromya", "pipat" (classical Thai orchestra) percussion music by artists from the Fine Arts Department in tribute to Luang Pradit.

- February 16

5pm - A talk on the work that went into making the film and soundtrack by director Itthisunthorn, composer Chartchai Pongprapan and members of the Korphai ensemble (who will also play some music from the score).

- February 17

5pm - Presentation of photos of Amphawa, Luang Pradit's hometown in Samut Songkhram province, taken by members of the Camera Cafe at Pantip Plaza, with musical accompaniment by flautist Thanit Sriklindee.

- February 18

5pm - Performance by young musicians who won prizes on the "Khun Phra Chuay" TV programme.

- February 23

5pm - "Luang Pradit Phairoh: A Great Southeast Asian Master", a panel discussion involving National Artist Pinit Chaisuwan and various academics in the field of music.

- February 24

5pm - Demonstration of a "prachan wong" (see main story) duel between two ranad players, given by Chaiyuth To-sanga.

- February 25

5pm - "Ruammit Hom Rong", a performance by the Ruangnond ensemble.

Bangkok Post
Wednesday January 31, 2007