#Nang talung

[sakuraswordly]

Translated from Thai:

Nang Talung puppetry, a valuable handicraft that has been passed down for hundreds of years Another wisdom from the South that uniquely reflects the way of life of the local people is “Nang Talung”, which is considered a wisdom that has been paired with the performing art of “Nang Talung”, which tells stories through puppetry along with entertaining narration on a white screen for over 200 years. The creation of the puppet requires skilled and experienced puppet craftsmen, starting from selecting the leather, tanning the leather, drawing the puppet with a stylus, to the carving and puppet hammering process. Each craftsman has a different identity, including the coloring, which in the past the craftsmen would do themselves, such as black from soot from pots, green from Tang Chae. However, at present, the creation of the puppets has been adapted from pre-tanned leather sheets from the factory or using food coloring instead of the traditional color to increase convenience for the creators. However, the process and craftsmanship in making the puppets are still passed down in the original way for future generations to be proud of continuing and preserving this valuable handicraft to continue.

Information and pictures: https://sacit.or.th/th/detail/15196

Nang talung is a traditional style of shadow puppetry from southern Thailand. Similar arts are found in Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

[heaven-is-in-your-arms-series]

Nang Yai - The Art of Shadow Puppets

Nang means leather and refers to the material the puppets are made from.

Nang Yai means Large Shadow Puppets

And

Nang Talung means Small Shadow Puppets.

Traditionally retelling scenes from the Ramakien, it is thought that Nang Yai influenced the development of the masked dance drama form Khon.

[fallbabylon]

Nang Talung (Thailand)  puppet depicting a ghost- Horniman Museum, London 

[fiamma-e-il-caneciccio]

Di solito non recensisco i libri che non mi sono piaciuti. Questo è uno strano caso, perché il libro mi è piaciuto, come opera in sé. Il fatto è che è un'opera insincera. Avevo gi�� letto il primo volume dell'autobiografia della Beauvoir. In questo, però, sono iniziate a aumentare le perplessità. Com'è un'opera insincera? E' una che racconta male quel che è avvenuto, mettendo foschia nel racconto, ma dietro la nebbia l'insincerità si sente. E' una risacca che aumenta con l'accumularsi di comportamenti e vicende non comprensibili con i dati forniti. Perché certi rapporti umani, fra la Beauvoir e Sartre, poi fra loro e le giovani allieve, non si spiegano con i semplici fatti raccontati: allora è facile oggi indagare e scoprire il resto. Non è un bel resto. Siamo abituati da sempre a sentir dire, Ah che amore quello fra Simone e Sartre. Ecco, io nemmeno leggendo questo libro ho pensato che fosse un amore a cui aspirare: perché ho percepito molto presto come ci fosse un'adesione alle aspettative di lui che era stato necessario digerire, una sotterranea gelosia che veniva razionalmente domata, un malessere nella relazione a cui solo la vicinanza intellettuale rendeva accettabile. Simone è stata una collaboratrice amorevole e tuttofare per Sartre, ripagata da gratitudine e stima, ma non riesco a definirlo come amore da nessuna delle due parti. E' una vicenda di manipolazione, che coinvolge i personaggi maggiori della storia. Dove c'è troppa ammirazione, dove c'è un personaggio conscio della propria superiorità o almeno così percepito, non può esserci amore. Sono temi difficili da sviscerare in poche righe. Ogni opera e ogni relazione va valutata nel proprio periodo di appartenza, lo dico da sempre: ma qui la consapevolezza dell'errore c'è, e si annida in tutti i non detti e in tutti le nebbie che Simone sparge nella sua storia. Com'è il libro, a parte quello? A me piace come cronaca, sebbene lei tenda sempre a caratterizzare poco i protagonisti delle sue storie. Li vede sempre da davanti, a distanza, bidimensionalmente, e quando prova a descriverli è come se attribuisse loro una sovrastruttura psicologica che non calza: non li sente, non li comprende. Tanta filosofia, tanti studi e poi vede gli altri come dei Nang Talung, dei burattini dell'ombra, senza spessore. Potrei continuare e non servirebbe a nulla perché nella mitologia della coppia questo non sposterà di una riga la visione che in generale se ne ha. Ecco, mi fa rabbia quando c'è una mitologia di qualcosa che è stato costruito a tavolino.

[traveljournalsg]

UNCOVERING THAILAND’S BEST-KEPT SECRET:NAKHON SI THAMMARAT

You may think you have explored all there is to explore in the Land of Smiles – but we’re here to introduce you to one of Thailand’s elusive gems: Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Located in the south, the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat is the second largest in Thailand. Nakhon Si Thammarat used to be an important trade link between Thailand and the rest of the world, and the remnants of the ancient transactions are evident today in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s cuisines, temples, and historic monuments. There are many ways to get to Nakhon Si Thammarat. You can fly in from Bangkok, or hop on to a mini-bus at an inter-provincial bus terminal. You can also make your way through Hat Yai, which can be used as a gateway to reach the province. Before heading further into Nakhon Si Thammarat, you may want to tick the following few places off your bucket list! Things To Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Visit A Waterfall Relish in the beauty of nature when you take a day trip down to one of the many waterfalls in Nakhon Si Thammarat. There is nothing like sitting in the cool waters of a stream, soaking up the sun and getting drenched in the waterfalls, in the middle of a dense rainforest. The ethereal Karom Waterfall Yong Waterfall and Phrom Lok Waterfall are some of the noteworthy beauties to check out. 

Check Out Khanom’s Art Scene Mr. Suchart Subsin is a shadow puppet maker and performer in the province of Nakhon. Incorporating Thai music, poetry and culture into his work, Mr. Subsin pioneered the delicate craft of shadow puppet performances in Thailand. Ban Nang Talung Suchart Subsin is a museum dedicated to Mr. Subsin’s craft and is a treasure trove of symbolic artefacts.

Aquaint Yourself with the Locals Take a peek into the lives of locals as you set foot into Kiriwong Village. Located less than an hour away from the airport, this endearing village is an experience like none other. The pace of life in Kiriwong - with its surrounding mountain, slow-moving river, and lush greenery - will make you want to ditch the city life.

Travel Back in Time Make a stop at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan (main picture), one of the most important and impressive historical sites in Thailand. The great Buddhist pagodas and surrounding buildings are hosts to relics, religious artefacts, architecture, and legends that date back to 291 AD!

One of the must-visit districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat is the small, unpretentious and beautiful town of Khanom - still yet to be touched by the fanfare of tourism. Littered with palm trees, paddy fields and rubber tree plantations, Khanom ticks all the right boxes for that authentic, laid-back island life: pristine, sandy white beaches that you can enjoy all to yourself; friendly locals that have yet to be daunted by the flurry of tourists; and tasty local food that will leave you craving for more.

Things To Do in Khanom

Hit the Beach! Nadan Beach is 10 kilometers of perfection. The shores are clean and free from crowds – perfect for a time of real rest and relaxation. The town’s only beach bar – CC Beach Bar, a fantastic little place well-stocked with great food and drinks – can be found at this beach. About a 20-minute drive away from Nadan is Ao Thong Yee beach, another solitary piece of paradise. Finding a coastline that is not packed with touts is a rarity, so take the time to enjoy the tranquillity

Go Pink Dolphin Sighting Don’t miss out on the chance to snap pictures of Pink Dolphins in Khanom! As one of the main highlights of the small town, it is incredibly easy to book a boat tour to spot the friendly mammals. These creatures are not easily found in other parts of the world, and they only inhabit waters that are extremely clean with a healthy ecosystem.

What to Eat One of the greatest things about Thailand is their ability to serve immensely flavourful dishes. Khanom La is one of the products of the district of Nakhon. It is a light, crispy and airy dessert in a tube-like form, made from flour, eggs and honey.  Another signature item is the Khanom Jeen – soft and thin fermented rice noodles. You can drown your Khanom Jeen noodles in your choice of curry (you can also pick multiple flavours!) and have it together with pickled vegetables. Mouth-watering, light, and nothing short of perfection – a bowl of Khanom Jeen is a must-have. Kaeng Som is a tasty fish dish that can be enjoyed as a curry or a soup, brimming with vegetables, served with a side of steamed rice. The dish is a crowd favourite with locals throughout Thailand; it hits all the right notes with its spicy, sour, and sweet elements. Hungry yet? 

Where to Stay Despite the fact that this part of Thailand has yet to see an influx of tourists, there are still plenty of excellent accommodation options to suit every traveler’s budget! Beach-side accommodations include Talkoo Beach Resort, Khanom Golden Beach Hotel, and Le Pes Villas.  

For more information, visit http://www.tourismthailand.org/sg 

Picture Credits: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Cr.Travel, 123RF.com,  Exoticvoyage.com 

[payanak]

Nang Talung.