Nang Yai, Art of Thai Shadow Puppetry

Nang Yai, a form of shadow puppetry and an ancient mode of amusement for Thailand’s aristocracy, is a combination of several art forms including designing, carving on cowhide, manual manipulation, music, and literature. Performed in various Royal ceremonies to praise the power and glory of the King, Nang Yai, which mainly related to the monarchy and heroic deeds, often derived from such epics as Maha-Bharata, Ramayana, and Ramakian.

Nang Yai performances involve shadow puppets made from tanned cowhide and fashioned into figures of humans, animals, places and other objects. In keeping with the story and narration, puppeteers manipulate the puppets while a pipat musical ensemble plays in the background.Puppeteers work their puppets both from in front and behind a white screen illuminated from behind to reflect shadows onto the screen.

Apart from Thailand, such performances can also be found in India, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Egypt and Turkey. Thailand’s performances date back over 500 years ago to the Ayuthaya period. In fact, historical records indicate the art of Nang Yai may have been influenced by Khmer culture in the 15th century, and Indonesian culture between the 8th and 13th centuries.

Academics and experts believe that Nang Yai as performed in Southeast Asia originates from Indian performances that go back to the distant past.