On the road with Nga
Surachai Chantimatorn will talk about the stories behind his songs at the upcoming concert "Khon Jorn Yon Ruang"
FRONTMAN OF songs-for-life band Caravan, writer, activist and passionate environmentalist Surachai “Nga” Chantimatorn returns to the stage next month for a concert that records his life as a musical vagabond.
The 68-year-old native of Surin province, who is better known as Nga Caravan and was named National Artist in literature in 2010, says the show, titled “Khon Jorn Yon Ruang”, reflects his journey as an ordinary man travelling the country’s roads for many years.
“It’s also a song on Caravan’s 1986 album ‘Khon Klai Baan’,” he told the audience at the recent press conference to promote the show.
“Musically, it was inspired by Bob Dylan’s ‘Song to Woody’ from 1962 which conveyed Dylan’s appreciation of folk legend Woody Guthrie.
“This concert will be semi-acoustic and also include plenty of talking. Not only will I be playing my songs but I’ll also be telling the stories behind them.”
Surachai kicked off his musical career in the 1970s while studying at Ramkhamhaeng University, joining with fellow student activist Weerasak Sunthornsri to form Tha Sen and Sanjorn, then subsequently joining Mongkhol Uthok and Thongkarn Thana in Bangladesh Band. The members renamed themselves Caravan in 1973.
After the October 6, 1976 massacre, the band members and other student activists were forced to flee to the countryside and neighbouring Laos where they took shelter with the Communist Party of Thailand. When amnesty was declared in 1979, Caravan’s members gradually returned from exile. Surachai wrote “Khuen Rang” about his state of mind coming from the forest to the town just five minutes before Caravan performed at the Unicef charity concert.
“I’ve been tuned in to Nga Caravan’s story since the Unicef show,” says music critic Anant Luepradit.
“He has been following a musical path for more than four decades and was named National Artist in literature because his songs have so much meaning.”
“I think fans will really be able to feel my songs and their stories. I’ve always written lyrics based on my own experiences of hilltribes and nature. I remember climbing to the summit of a mountain and feeling exhausted after the six-hour climb. But the exhaustion fell away when I looked out at the spectacular scenery. Nature inspired me to write songs,” says Surachai.
This concert will also feature his songs about the environment and conservation as well as his and Caravan’s hits.
“Everyone is aware of the damage caused by deforestation. These days we hear how everyone loves the forests and wants to find ways of preserving them. I have lived in the forest, but I couldn’t help it or save it.
“I have been associated with forest conservation for more than 20 years. Awareness definitely grew after Seub Nakhasathien’s suicide 25 years ago. Today everyone knows the importance of nature. Yet our forestland continues to diminish despite the hundreds of campaigns on conservation,” says Surachai. “I am sad about the disappearing forest and disappointed that I can’t find out the truth about why it is happening.”
Surachai and a few of his musician pals also offered a foretaste of what audiences can expect at the concert, playing “Khon Jorn”, “Wai Aen” from Surachai’s 1987 solo album “Duangdao, Duangta, Duangjai” and “Pa Takon” from his solo album “Rak Muea Duean Mesa” in 1997.
VAGABOND DREAMS
- “Khon Jorn Yon Ruang” will take place at Scala Theatre on July 23 at 7pm.
- Tickets cost from Bt900 to Bt2,000 at Thai Ticket Major counters and online at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
