The Master crosses to the other side
When a person leaves this world, their work and the lessons they have left behind grab everybody's attention. The late National Artist Thawan Duchanee is no exception.
His passing is being widely mourned on social media, with many fans sharing their thoughts and others imparting some little-known facts about the late artist.
Sung Phongsa posted a photograph of her and Thawan, with the message: “I had several chances to travel with a great artist such as Master Thawan Duchanee. People who met him might have felt overawed or nervous, but in reality he was a fun-loving, easy-going man who was always cracking jokes.”
Pari Pariya shared a humorous excerpt from Thawan’s autobiography:
“4 years old: Solo exhibition, Chang Moob Ming Muang Temple, Chiang Rai;
5 years old: Got bitten by a rabid dog, developed a tendency to moan on full-moon nights until old age;
7 to 8 years old: Moved to a forest, got a big belly, World War II;
9 years old: Became an expert in small animals like fish, insects and reptiles;
10 years old: Became an expert in firing slingshots in Chiang Rai and Phayao;
12 years old: Became an independent artist of Chiang Rai;
22 to 24 years old: Heartbroken, won snoring competition in Paris, Rome and Amsterdam;
40 to 45 years old: Got fat with big belly, bald, broken teeth;
61 to 62 years old: Got hernia; enlarged prostate, became very stubborn, lost some memory, protruding belly button, mother died, older brother died, two sisters-in-law died at around the same time.”
Journalist Sutthasinee Jit posted a message voicing her respect for the late artist: “I usually think of Master Angkarn [Kalayanapong, renowned poet and national artist who passed away in August 2012] and Master Thawan together. Master Angkarn came up with powerful words and Master Thawan with powerful paintings.”
Advertising creative team member Marm Viroj wrote an ode to the ‘master’:
“My great sorrow. Master Thawan Duchanee has passed away.
I didn’t know him personally. But over a period I studied his work and biography.
It was because of curiosity.
What wisdom did he achieve that enabled him to create a powerful painting just with three swipes of the brush?
He is like a master swordsman, whose sword is really his heart.
It might sound like an exaggeration. But he was a real man of wisdom.
He mastered many languages and could read what ordinary people like us cannot.
The ‘Lilit Ongkarn Chaeng Nam’ [A Thai literature classic about the oath officials take to swear loyalty to their king] is an example.
He studied things thoroughly and knew about the anatomy of the animals he painted.
He achieved the essence of Buddhism.
His work, therefore, seems simple but indescribably powerful.
He removed all that was unnecessary.
Letting go is tougher than adding on.
Only the enlightened can cut these things without any hesitation.
Tor Thanonchai [Sornsrivichai, a well-known director of commercials] said Master Thawan Duchanee was like smooth liquor with a strong taste.”
Pari Pariya also posted excerpts of Thawan’s interview with Ploy Kaem Petch magazine in December 2004:
“No matter what, I can only be happy with what Mongtoy [his son Doitibet] thinks and achieves...
After I die, I can only imagine a middle-aged curator taking care of the museum, the Maha Vihara and the houses his father had built. At the end of the day, I don’t want what I have built to confine my son.
“I built those structures as a contribution to the country. When I first arrived in Bangkok, there were no free shows. A bowl of noodles cost Bt1, but the entrance fee [to a gallery or museum] was Bt50. How could I afford that? I didn’t have the chance to see anything.
“When I began earning, I wanted to build a place to showcase our culture for people to enjoy free of charge. Otherwise, who would be crazy enough to build as many as 35 houses?
“Should I have waited for others or the government to do this? There was no chance. When loud calls won no answer, I realised that we all walk alone. So, I did it alone. One day, when I cross over to the other side, I will leave my boat [on the edge of mortality] and will not be attached to it.”
