The Lanna Dances
About halfway through your meal a classical orchestra will begin to accompany troupes of dancers in gorgeous costumes, or occasionally a solo dancer, as they per-form the graceful movements of Thai classical dance for your pleasure. These are absolutely authentic Northern Thailand dances, quite distinct from those performed in Bangkok and Ayutthaya. They are rooted in the region's history, literature and ways of life.



While some, like the Fingernail Dance, that is usually performed only on special occasions such as a state visit, are slow, stately and exquisitely graceful, others such as the solo Sword Dance has a flashing, ferocious beauty. Performances such as the Magic Fowls Dance, meanwhile, are taken from local folklore and literature while a fourth genre that includes the Silk Reeling Dance depicts various aspects of daily village life.


In some cases, the dances were originally either choreographed or polished by northern court poets and dance instructors to celebrate a particular event such as the royal visit of King Prajadhipok, King Rama VII, to Chiang Mai in 1927. In others, members of the old Chiang Mai royal family were themselves the inspiration.


The Shan and Burmese courts are represented in other dances such as the Mahn Mui Chiangta Dance while the Thai Lue Dance is originally performed by the Thai Lue people of Nong Bua village in Nan Province, The programme is so crowded that you probably will not be able to see every dance described in Old Chiangmai Cultural Center's very useful programme note. But rest assured that the full range will be delightfully represented and beautifully introduced.


The final dance is the Ramwong, or Circle Dance. This is a typical Thai folk dance that was popularised some 60 or 70 years ago. After a few introductory rounds so that you, the guests, can see how it is done, the dancers will invite you to join in on a cheerful, friendly finale to the first part of the evening's programme.