 The
Thai Dance is a graceful and interpretative performance. It
has played an indispensable part of Thai life from historical
times to the present day. Thai dance is closely intertwined
with the beliefs, traditions and customs of Thailand and is
therefore important to the lives of the people. It has been
kept alive through royal patronage in a continuous line of
succession through the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin
periods.
Thai
dance may be divided into two major styles: folk dance ('rabam
phun muang') and classical dance ('natasin'). Each of the
four regions of Thailand has its own folk dances that are
usually associated with agricultural and social activities,
such as rice planting, harvesting, festivals, and religious
celebrations. Basically, northern dances are elegant and graceful
while those of the South and Northeast are more active and
fun-filled, but still retain the fundamental grace of Thai
dance in general. Central and eastern dances are clearly linked
to the agrarian lifestyles of the people.
From
the basic movements of folk dances, Thai classical dance further
refined the elaborate hand gestures, arm and leg movements
that are able to captivate audiences to this day.
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