Nang Ta lung (Shadow puppet) is one traditional Thai theatre using the shadow of puppets in acting. In the old days, this kind of play has ever been held in many civilized countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Greek, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand especially in every part of country. When time changed, Nang Ta lung is found only in southern Thailand.

Formally, the performance of Nang Ta lung was depicted from the story of Ramakien of Hindu in India. Then it was revised in order to suit the popularity of the audiences and time such as its content, hero and heroine and musical instrument. This performance consists of a chief and manipulators of puppets. The chief will conceal behind a brilliantly backlit white screen made of cloth. His function is to provide dialogues for every puppet and also recite the story in verse while the play is proceeding.

Presently, either hero, heroine or demon will be only the complementary performers of the play while the joker became a favorites performer of audiences. It is believed that the characters of joker imitate from the real life of human who has special personality and a queer gesture that create lots of humor. Generally, Nang Ta lung is made of cowhide which is easily found and has good quality. Every piece of Nang Ta lung is given life by the chief. He will insert his feeling and emotion on the puppet by the verse he sings during the play.

Components of the Performance of Nang Tatung

In the performance of Nang Tatung there are usually several component parts.

The Nang Tatung Troop

A single troop is called a rong (literally, "one structure"). It is composed of the puppeteer and members of his troop. The number of people varies from troop to troop. The most important and indispensable are the one or two people who pass the puppets to the puppeteer. There is also one person who plays the Tap (small drum), one person who plays the Glong (drums), one person who plays the pi (oboe), one person who plays the Mong (gong), and one person who plays the Ching (cymbals), and one person who plays the Krap (wood blocks). Some troops also have a mo Sayasat (a person adept at casting spells).

In addition to playing music, the members of the troop also have the task of transporting the musical instruments when they travel to perform. Each person is responsible for their own instrument.

The Puppets

Every Nang Talung troop has a different number of puppets. There are usually about 100-300 puppets that must be used. These include hermits, Phra Isuan (Indra), narrator, local prince, giants/ogres, humans, clowns, thieves, trees, vehicles, weapons, etc., and also assorted animals from literary works, such as the lion, the tiger, Garuda, and the swan. Nang Tatung puppets are between 1-2 feet tall and are usually made from cow hide or buffalo hide. Patterns are cut into the leather and are painted very beautiful colors.

Music of Nang Talung

The musical instruments of Nang Talung that are important and can not be omitted are as follows.

1.        One Glong (drum) which is covered with leather at both ends and is about 8-10 inches wide, 10-12 inches long, with the end being smaller than the middle.

2.      Two Tap (small drum) which are covered with very fine leather, such as langur (kind of monkey) skin. The two tap are a little different in size in order to produce different pitches.

3.      One pair of Mong (gong), one with a high pitch and one with a lower pitch. Each mong is hung inside a wooden frame. The two Mong are made from bronze or brass.

4.      One pair of Ching (cymbals).

5.      One Pi (oboe).

Some troops also have a so-u (low pitched two stringed fiddle), so-duong (middle pitched two stringed fiddle), or klui (Thai bamboo recorder).
Nowadays, a Nang Talung troop is composed of many members and more music than in the past because each troop is trying to modernize the Nang Talung and make their group unique among the troops. So they integrate Western instruments such as: a drum set, melodica, or guitar.
The fact is that integrating Western instruments into the performance unfortunately causes the original identity of Nang Talung to be swallowed up.
In addition there are some other components.

Characteristics of the Stage

In this picture of the stage of Nang Tatung, one can see that the entire front of the stage is composed of a screen. This is a typical element of Nang Tatung nowadays. On both sides of the screen are black speakers which are used to project the sound. It can be seen that modern Nang Tatung is westernized. The Nang Tatung stage is built so that the floor is at the height of an adult's head. It is no less than ten sok (the distance from the fingertips to the elbow, about half a yard) in width and has the same length. The roof is constructed like a lean-to. The construction of the stage is the duty of the sponsor of the event, who has to build it so that it is secure and has auspicious characteristics. For instance, it is prohibited to build the stage so that it is facing the West; so that it is connected to tree stumps, trees, or the dikes of rice paddies; in a place where water collects; within the boundaries of a cemetery; or between two large trees.

The Screen of the Nang Talung

The Nang Talung screen is made from thin, white cloth that is eight to nine feet long. It is higher than the head of a person. On all four sides of the screen there is a red cloth border attached that is about four inches wide.

The Lantern of the Nang Tatung

In the olden days, there was no electricity. They used an oil lamp, for example oil from the fat of a cow, buffalo, or coconut. Later they used a box lantern or storm lantern. Nowadays, they use electricity because they can also use it for sound amplifiers. If a Nang Tatung nowadays doesn't have electricity or generators, no one will perform with them. Some troops need to have generators.

Traditional Order in Performing Nang Talung

When the Nang Talung troop is on the stage and ready to perform, there is usually a common manner of performing, as in the following stages.

1.        Perform the opening ceremony

2.      Perform the overture song

3.      Introduce the black monkey, white monkey, or the monkey with the black head (nowadays, this is not very popular)

4.      Introduce the hermit puppet

5.      Introduce the Phra Isuan puppet (Indra)

6.      Introduce the narrator puppet

7.       Introduce the announcer puppet

8.      Introduce the ruling prince puppet

9.      Proceed with the story according to the text until daw