Foundation Holds Blessing Ceremony for Classical Thai Dance Performance
A royal foundation held a blessing ceremony for classical Thai dance masters ahead of staging "Ramakien - Sita," a grand khon production scheduled for November-December 2026 at Thailand Cultural Center, honoring the late Queen Mother's cult
The Patronage Foundation for the Promotion of Arts and Crafts held a ceremony to honor and invoke blessings from the teachers and masters of classical Thai dance (khon) on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 9:09 a.m. at the Khon Learning Center in Bang Pa-in District, Ayutthaya Province. Lieutenant Colonel Somchai Kanjanamanee, Deputy Secretary of the Royal Household and Vice Chairman of the foundation, presided over the ceremony on behalf of the foundation. The ceremony sought permission and protection from spiritual masters for the year's grandest khon production: "Ramakien - Sita," to proceed smoothly and successfully. This was followed by a merit-making Buddhist ceremony and alms offering to monks to bring auspiciousness to all organizers, performers, and participants.
For 2026, the foundation has scheduled the khon performance "Ramakien - Sita" to run from Thursday, November 5 through Thursday, December 10, 2026, at the Thailand Cultural Center's main auditorium. The performance honors the legacy and royal vision of Queen Sirikit, the late Queen Mother, and coincides with celebrations marking the King's fourth reign jubilee. The khon performance transcends mere entertainment; it represents the collective effort to preserve and pass down Thailand's precious cultural heritage that Queen Sirikit founded and that the current Queen continues to champion. It reflects Thailand's good fortune that the monarchy actively supports and nurtures this classical art form in all its dimensions, ensuring that this valued tradition endures for generations to come.
The grandeur of the performance stems not merely from its artistic beauty on stage, but from Queen Sirikit's vision to revive, conserve, and perpetuate the art of khon while simultaneously preserving Thailand's exquisite craftsmanship. Through the foundation's work, khon has become a living platform for learning, knowledge transmission, and the cultivation of new generations of artists. Every aspect—from stage construction and scenic design to intricately crafted masks, costumes, and ornaments—reflects a collaborative commitment to safeguarding and advancing this invaluable art form so that it continues to inspire audiences for generations.
The "Ramakien - Sita" performance follows the royal composition of King Rama I. The narrative traces the story from when Lakshmi incarnated as Princess Sita and married Prince Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu), through her abduction by the demon king Ravana after she followed Rama into exile, to Rama's final victory over the demons, and finally to Sita's trial by fire upon her return to Ayodhya. Through her unwavering virtue and pure love, Sita passes through the flames unharmed, with lotus flowers rising beneath her feet to support each step.
