Edited Khon video gets thumbs up
THE CULTURE MINISTRY yesterday gave the green light to a music video that promotes Thai tourism via the traditional dance Khon, after some controversial scenes were removed.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said the video’s director Bandit Thongdee talked to national artist Charuporn Rattanavaraha, who plays Thotsakan in the Ramakien epic (Ravana in Ramayana), and they mutually agreed to remove the scenes showing the king of giants cook Thai sweetmeat.
“The move is in line with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s order that the Culture Ministry should find a creative solution [to the issue],” Vira said at a press conference.
Launched earlier this month, the music video won much praise from netizens. The tourism-promotion material, however, upset some cultural experts who feel the clip violates Khon traditions that portray Thotsakan as a formidable king.
The re-edited version still depicts Thotsakan at various attractions in Thailand, and riding on a songtaew passenger vehicle. Vira said his ministry planned to stage a Khon roadshow across the country next month.
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