TERA เถระ (TERA Tera)

Based on The Cat Who Went to Heaven(1930), a children’s book by Elizabeth Coatsworth, this play follows a painter named Shigeru Okamoto and his elderly housekeeper Kae Yamada as they travel across time and space, from early postwar Japan to Thailand, India, and Tibet. While some elements of Tera in Japan are left intact―such as the question-and-answer session, in which the musician poses 108 questions to the audience, and Buddhist chants by the monk of the temple―the work has been wholly reenvisioned to vividly reflect the beliefs and views on life and death held by the Thai people. The original performance was held at Wat Pha Lat temple located in Doi Suthep National Park in Chiang Mai. In this precinct in the mountains, the performers led the audience from outside the gate toward the main building.

Performance

TERA เถระ (TERA Tera)

Director: Narumol Thammapruksa
Performance: Sonoko Prow, Kram Thum
Music: Great Lekakul, Torpong Samerjai
Dramaturg: Dr. Somwang Kaewsufong, Kram Thum

Technical staff: Paanchanasak Nithivechakul
Stage management: August Selke
Translation: Dyah Ayu Kusumawardhani
English editing: August Selke

[Overview]
Venue: Selasar Sunaryo Art Space - Amphitheater + Bale Handap
Time and Dates:
20:30-22:00, January 19, 2024



16:00-17:30, January 20, 2024 *Followed by a talk-back session (until 18:00)


Language: Thai, English with Indonesian subtitles

Artists

Narumol Thammapruksa (Kop)

Narumol Thammapruksa is a performing artist and a self-defense or aikido artist, with a special interest in social issues. She portrays the performer’s experiences by developing a technique called autobiographical storytelling, which tells stories of the individual’s views on societies in parallel with the present world, while also portraying how the individual has been oppressed and how others are affected by oppression. Besides plays, she is also interested in non-verbal movement, including mime, modern dance, and using masks. The director breaks the old tradition of the imagined “wall” that separates the performers from the audience. Throughout the performance, every now and then, she urges the audience not to be taken in by its stories. She uses symbolic language to deconstruct and reconstruct. At present, she is on the committee of the Peace Culture Foundation, whose aim is to build the culture of peace, promoting non-violence through social art activities and aikido practices. She hopes that these activities will help foster love, compassion, empathy, and diversity, aiming for harmonious societies.

Sonoko Prow

Sonoko Prow is half Japanese and half Thai-Chinese, working as a director and performer. She has a multi-disciplinary, multicultural, and passionate background, which makes her an extraordinary performer. She has created her own self-discovery and development program, which she uniquely applies to her Butoh performances. Sonoko also founded Khandha Arts’n Theatre Company. She works as its director, performer, and workshop provider, collaborating with world-renowned artists to produce works for stage performances and arts festivals.

Kram Thum (Gig)

Kram Thum is a traveler, graphic designer, and interior designer. He graduated in Buddhist Studies from Delhi University, India. When he returned to Thailand, he merged his traveling experiences with designs in various graphic and interior design projects he co-created, such as Karmakamet hotel and X2 at Koh Samui. In 2010 he got a chance to work with world-renowned Japanese multi-disciplinary artist Tadasu Takamine in Japan and Thailand in a performing arts project named “Melody Cup.” He is currently an astrology teacher at Suwannakhomkham Foundation, Bangkok.

Great Lekakul

After graduating in music from Mahidol University, Great lectured in Japan at Kanda International Language Studies University, teaching music and religions in South East Asia and performances of Thai music. After he completed his doctorate in Ethnomusicology at SOAS, the University of London, he became a lecturer there. With his specialties in Thai and experimental music, he became a member of Korphai, the renowned contemporary Thai music band, in 2000. He also co-produced the musical soundtrack of Homrong films on Thai music in 2004. He was selected as a representative of Thai musicians to perform in the Asia Traditional Music Orchestra in Seoul, South Korea. In 2019 he produced and performed his music in Mahajanaka performing arts with Pichet Klunchun, highlighting the Buddha’s past life; this was performed in various cities in the UK. Currently, he is the permanent lecturer in Performing Arts at Chiang Mai University.

Torpong Samerjai

Torpong Samerjai is an artist who specializes in Lanna music. He graduated from Chiang Mai University, where he studied Thai arts and cultures. He has performed and directed various music events in Chiang Mai. In addition to his musical talents, he also works as a scholar of Lanna and ethnic music. He has edited a book about Lanna percussionists. At present, Torpong is affiliated with the cultural promotion center of Chiang Mai University.