Ganesh

Last Monday Bangkokians reported immense traffic in the city centre - this was due to the Indian festival thanking the Gods . . .particularly Ganesh. The weekend before, Eric Booth invited me to see Ganesh by Pichet, the first part being a classical Thai version of the tale with Pichet as the solo performer.  It was enchanting - I now understand why Lord Ganesh is worshipped and why his tusks are broken.  Ganesh is the patron of the arts, he represents artistic endeavours and creativity - very relevant to our times really.  The performance was an hour long and at Pichet's studio which is part of his very charming home. 

on the way to Pichet's

His talent, ability and presence is overwhelming, although a solo performer all the varied emotions required in the play where there are gods, goddesses and mortals are projected from him alone, he has a very wholesome presence and his energy fills the room.  

Pichet

You could feel the pain of his fight and the fear of his loss fromm watching his movement and letting the Thai prose explain.  Very inspiring indeed.  

As I was in Singapore, I was not able to go watch the second re-enactment of the same story but in a modern interpretation.  He is one of the foremost performers in Thai art - unique.  Ganesh would be proud

Suspension of Time and Space

Alexia (a friend from Paris), Gene and I were lucky to bump into Eric Booth (P'Eric) one afternoon after visiting the super duper cool textiles exhibition at the Jim Thompson house/museum.  P'Eric invited us to a performance by Pichet, Thailand's foremost avant-garde performance artists at the Jim Thompson house.  

Alexia and Gene on tuk tuk goin to Jim Thompson

Gene and I - barefoot at the Jim Thompson house

Pichet's performance was dynamic, mysterious but also very clear and simple as he attempted to explain Khon or Thai classical dance . . .it was amazing . . .did not want to blink even . . .

"Theatre is the suspension of time and space" says Pichet, you never see someone die on stage, they die in the back. He showed us how the subtlest movement distinguishes one's role and tells stories and showed us how Thai dance and Thai architecture speak to each other. A lady will never cry in the open, always turning away to weep and the last tear is flicked away to forget.  Real life could learn a few things from theatre . . .

After the eye opening performance dinner was served at the restaurant in the compound.  I had a chance to catch up with P'Harry (who happens to be Gene's cousin) John and Malina. . .and of course the vivacious and sublimely beautiful Pasri Bunnag, Eric's mum and Jean Michel - they own Jim Thompson and are great patrons of the arts - truly inspiring. . . 

It really turned out to be a wonderful evening - like we were taken back into time, to a different Bangkok, the old Thai house and its grounds, the people and conversation . . . so in a way time and space were suspended in real life.