Pichet Klunchun- I AM A DEMON

Khon is a form of a classic Thai dance in masks with four central types of characters – phra (a man), nang (a woman), yak (the devil), and ling (a monkey).

Pichet Klunchun has been learning the elements of Thai dance since he was 16 years old and has especially focused on the features of the dance character yak (the devil), for which he trained with one of the most recognized Thai Khon masters, Chaiyot Khummanee.

Klunchun is also a renowned contemporary dancer, and in his works he often combines elements of traditional art that he grew up with together with the subtleness of contemporary dance practices, which enables him to reflect upon Thai artistic elements and to see them from another point of view. The performance I am a Demon is an homage to Klunchun’s late teacher of Thai dance, a story about a studentteacher relationship, and a narrative about the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another.

Pichet Klunchun’s performance brings the essence of the delicate and dramatic Khon to the fore through an artistic analysis of various connotations embedded in the character of the devil and an in-depth interpretation of the meanings behind this character’s typical and precise movements. The author portrays and describes the traditional dance with great love, which speaks of his profound respect for his culture and traditions and at the same time demonstrates his desire to gain a deeper understanding of such and also to present its uniqueness to contemporary audiences from other cultural environments.

Dancer, Choreographer: Pichet Klunchun
Video editor: Puttpong Wongsawang
Translator: Associate Professor Pornrat Damrhung
Original interview video clip: TheatreWorks Singapore

50 minutes
The performance is in English language.

Price of tickets: 10 € (7 €- secondary, primary school and university students, seniors)
Tickets available an hour prior to a event at Festival venues.