Joy in Every Beat

 Bangkok’s National Theatre will resound to the thunder of exotic giant drums from around the globe on Friday and Saturday. The International Drum Festival will have instruments from South Korea and Taiwan, the famed tabla from India, the lunba cajon from Peru, the batucada from Brazil, taiko drums from Japan and djambe drums from Africa.

The host Tourism Authority of Thailand wants the festival to build global friendship and cultural harmony. You can learn not only how they sound but also how they play important roles back home at weddings, holiday processions and other ceremonies of national, religious and political cast.

“Visitors will be fascinated by how many different kinds of drums there are,” says Tourism Authority Governor Suraphon Svetasreni.

“This is part of our effort to promote Asian and Southeast Asian social and cultural integration, by highlighting the spec

 tacular role and uses of drums in many aspects of life. It will also go a long way toward enhancing the role of Thailand as a centre of arts, music and culture.

Thailand itself will offer a performance using the mongkrum, while Taiwan will accompany its traditional giant drum with flute and percussion and India will add the mesmerising sound of the sitar to its tabla rhythms. From South Korea comes an energetic drum dance. 

And, no doubt the highlight of the show, all of the drums from around the world will be played together at one point, as if in “battle”.

The performances will take place on an open-air stage in front of the theatre. In the surrounding area you can watch separate demonstrations that address the history and the techniques for making and playing the drums. 

All the while, food from all the participating Asian countries will be served, including nasi lemak and laksa from Malasia, the scrumptious Filipino dessert polvoron, Vietnamese spring rolls, a Lao fruit salad and plenty of Thai favourites. 

  BRING YOUR | EAR DRUMS

-The main performances focusing on Asian drums take place inside the National Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 2 and 7pm.

-The international drum shows outside the theatre from 4 to 8 on Friday and Saturday.

Admission is free, but you can reserve seats inside at (02) 224 1342. Find out more at www.TourismThailand.org.