There are many entertainment ideas I would like to try after a day’s work, but watching a traditional Thai dance is certainly not in my list. Unless, maybe, if I get interested in one of the beautiful dancers! But if nothing’s left for me to see in Thailand except a set of cultural dances. I would like to see one particular Thai dance – The Manohra Dance.

It tells the story of Prince Suthon and his lover, Manohra. A southern Thailand kind of dance, Manohra can be traced back to Nakhon Sri Thammarat about 2,000 years ago. Like other classical dances in Asia, it features a series of gestures and steps that relate to stories based on myths and folklores. There is one recurring theme in this dance that serves as a single thread keeping the tempo and the different scenes in close knit together – the legend of Manohra, a Kinnaree or human bird, which features prominently in classical Thai literature. In brief, according to the legend, Manohra was captured and was presented to Prince Suthon as wife. With her beauty and intelligence, Manohra quickly became the most lovable jewel of the kingdom.

One day, while the prince was away at war, Manohra was accused by a jealous court counselor that she would cause a great evil in the kingdom and eventually the defeat of the prince at war. To appease the gods, the counselor said, Manohra must be sacrificed by fire. Manohra yieled to her destiny but asked the Queen’s permission to put on her wings and tails back so she could make a farewell dance. She danced gracefully then leap into the air and took flight to her home in the deep jungle and mountains.

DANCE COMPOSITION

A Manohra dance troupe is usually made up of about 15 people including the dance master, also known as Nairong or Norah Yai, a magician, several musicians playing various instruments such the Pi Chawa (reed pipe), drums and ching (chymbals); and other performers. All performers wear different costumes that include golden crowns, bird’s wings, breastplates, swan tails, amulets, bracelets and long fingernails crafted from beaten silver spoons. The wardrobe alone can cost more than Bt20,000. The Manohra is confined to provinces in the southern region that is bordered by Malaysia. Although it is performed mainly in rural venues, visitors to Thailand can also watch it at hotels, theaters and cinemas. This dance and its music transcend al cultural barriers.