Thai Cultural Exhibition at Arabian Center

When it comes to providing a treat for the senses, Arabian Center has packed a punch this DSF, with an extravagant celebration of Thailand on the cards. Arabian Center will hold a Thai cultural festival cum exhibition from 2nd – 18th January 2014. The entire mall will be decked up with colorful flags, banners, festoons and lanterns to ring in an authentic Thai ambience.

Exhibitors will showcase a rich ensemble of Thai handicrafts, clothing, cosmetics and culture. Besides, a host of artistes from every nook and corner of Thailand are being flown in to present 18-20 myriad forms of visually appealing dance and martial art performances.

The Thai Martial Arts Show during the course of the Thai festival at Arabian Center includes demonstrations of the Muay Thai, the most famous martial art of Thailand, the Sword Dance, a ceremonial dance traditionally performed prior to combat and Combat with short and long sticks, having ancient martial art roots and one that requires tremendous courage and strength besides excellent reflexes.

Another form of entertainment is going to include Thai dance. They say, Thai Dance, like anywhere else on the Asian continent is a window to the soul of Thailand. Tradition is of essence at a Thai dance performance, be it the music, the costumes, or the stories and myths that are sought to be retold on stage.

There are various forms of Thai dances, which appear to fit into three main categories: the royal dances; the folk dances and the story dances, though region-wise, Thai dance can be segregated into 4 forms: Eastern, Northern, North-Eastern and Southern. Thai dance forms, not only explore different ways of movement, but each form opens up new worlds.

The Eastern Dances are the most popular dance form in Thailand. Sri Nuan dance is one form of the Eastern dance known for its beautiful choreography and the sweetness of the music and lyrics that accompany it. Similarly, Teut-Teung or the Drum Dance uses the teut-teung drum used in Thai folk music, which is played at parades and traditional festivals. Farmers Dance is a modern dance form of the Eastern dances where dancers enact the activities of farm workers.

The Northern Dances are another form of traditional dances at Thai. These include dances as Candle Dance – typically performed by the Thai Kheun tribe -- in honor of Lord Buddha, wherein the female dancers pay homage to the divinities that protect the eight cardinal points of the Earth. Sukhothai Dance of blessing expresses the calm, serene temperament of the northern peoples.

The Northeast Dances comprises of another essential dance form. Serng Kratip Khoa performed at traditional celebrations has choreography accompanied by music with a lively rhythm as is Serng I-San, a folk dance wherein dancers wear brightly-colored costumes, expressing the joy of celebration. Fon Phu Thai, a dance that is part of a propitiatory ceremony is performed by the country's northeastern Phu Thai tribe. Serng Krapo is also one of the most important northeastern dances wherein the dancers hold two coconut shells, with which they execute complex choreographic movements, accompanied by the sound of the pong lang, a kind of upright xylophone.

Lastly, the Southern Dances forms comprises of--The Nora, a traditional dance whose choreography is generally composed of 12 positions and 17 movements. Nora Tua Oon is a refined version of the Nora, calling for great interpretive skills and experience. Ram Taeng Kae, is another elaborate Nora dance that requires great interpretative talents, wherein a female dancer moves round a writhing crocodile made from the trunk of a banyan tree, whose back is lit by candles. The dancer bides her time to pierce its head at the right moment. Ram Nora Son Ram employs hand, arm and shoulder movements.

Also on show will be unique and exclusive dance acts such as Klon Sabud Chai (Victory Drum Dance) and Khon (classical masked dance).

So this DSF, sink into the multi-cultural avenue of Thai at Arabian Center