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Treasure of Memories: 19th Century Photographs of Siam
When King Rama V (Phrabat Somdet Phra Chunlachomklao Chaoyuhua) returned from his first tour of Europe, male-officers of the court organized a bandasak performance (a court theater tradition in which members of the Siamese patrician classes staged and performed plays for the monarch) to celebrate their sovereign’s safe homecoming. A troupe of Royal Sports Club members staged a performance of the climatic polo match in Sang Thong, excerpted from King Rama II’s transcription of the traditional Southeast Asian folktale, with Phya Phipat Kosa (Celestino Xavier) slated to play the fair Rojana. The performance, which took place on the 15th of January 1897 at the Sahathai Samakhom Hall in the Grand Palace, followed the convention of theater performances outside of the court, in which an all-male cast would portray both male and female characters. Part of the pomp and circumstance that greeted the King’s propitious return, this remarkable performance would be preserved in the memories of Thai people for many generations.
The performance was also incorporated into the events that unfold in the famous Thai historical novel, Four Reigns (Sri Phaendin), by Kukrit Pramoj, a nobleman of royal descent. In the excerpt below, the main character, Phloi, attends the fabled bandasak performance:
“… One evening, Phloi, Khun Choei and Choi took themselves out to see a classical drama put on by the male officers of the court at the Sahathai Samakhom Hall. Noblemen of the highest ranks had worked hard in preparation for the night’s performance– to be ready to take to the stage for the celebration of the royal retinue’s return. Everyone who went wondered what the dancing would be like, and while the performance was under way, whispered and chatted among themselves. Some praised the troupe’s efforts, while others were amused. Phloi watched the performance, completely engrossed, for a long time. But then a strange feeling came over her as she sensed that someone was watching her from behind. Cold shivers ran down her spine. Unable to bear it any longer, she cautiously looked behind her to discover a pair of eyes that were gazing at her with great interest…”
in celebration of the King’s return from his first trip to Europe on 15th January 1898.
in celebration of the King’s return from his first trip to Europe on 15th January 1898.
Photography– a ground-breaking invention that had been recently introduced to Siam– also memorialized the event. In our exhibition of antiques photographs, “Treasure of Memories: 19th Century Photographs of Siam”, two photographs of the historic bandasak performance that welcomed King Rama V’s return from Europe share the company of over 100 other custodians of Thai history.
Open 20th November – 20th December 2022, at RCB Photographer’s Gallery 1.
