lakon

dance

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June 30, 2026

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The term "lakon" refers to a type of dance and dance-drama found in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand. Lakon nai is a specific form of female court dance-drama that originated in the mid-18th century. It emerged from a combination of female court dance, lakon nok drama, and Javanese Pandji stories. These performances often feature romantic episodes from the Pandji tales, presented in an elegant and delicate style accompanied by songs and music from a pi phat ensemble. While lakon nai was introduced to Cambodia, it remains a prominent performing art in Thailand.1

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Southeast Asian arts
Court styles
…are nang sbek shadow theatre, lakon female dance and dance-drama, and lakon kawl male masked pantomime. The puppets of nang sbek stand four to five feet in height, have no movable arms, and are manipulated from beneath by two fixed handles or sticks. The standing puppeteer either sways the puppet…
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…are nang sbek shadow theatre, lakon female dance and dance-drama, and lakon kawl male masked pantomime. The puppets of nang sbek stand four to five feet in height, have no movable arms, and are manipulated from beneath by two fixed handles or sticks. The standing puppeteer either sways the puppet…
Read More