Paisarn Khunnu, 24, has been learning the art of Norah (a traditional dance of Southern Thailand) since the age of five. Now he's starring in the new Thai drama film, Serd, a coming-of-age story of a boy who needs to continue his family's Norah tradition despite his passion to start a band instead. BK chats with him about how six-packs can stir up interest in traditional dance.
I grew up with Norah. My grandfather and mother were both Norah performers and they encouraged me to follow their path since I was five years old. I joined Ekkachai Srivichai, the famous luk tung singer from South, when I was eight and have been performing with him ever since. He's like a father to me. He basically asked me to play this role and he directed it.
How did you prepare for the film role?
Apart from singing and dancing, I had to get a six pack within three months, and as a sweet tooth it was a real pain in the neck. I had to cut out all high-calorie foods and even quit my favorite fruit, durian. All I could eat were high-protein food and also had to hit the gym six days a week. After finishing the movie, I tried to avoid chicken breast and canned tuna as much as possible.
Do you think the film has made people become more interested in Norah?
Yes, certainly. We had a chance to show people how Norah has changed and modernized over the years with more current topics, like politics or what’s going on in social media, being sang instead of old poems and how we combine contemporary music and jokes in our shows. We now have to mix different types of performance in order to make our shows more appealing. The movie has been helping us to change teenagers’ perception of Norah. Seeing me performing shirtless in this film, many younger people have begun to see the beauty of Norah performers’ bodies. Looking up to me as their idol makes them want to learn and practice Norah and to keep a healthy body.
What's the feedback been like?
The movie has started a Norah trend. Many teenagers and kids, not only from the South but all around Thailand, have been contacting us, asking to join Norah classes because the movie inspired them to. They started to see that Norah is cool and not only for old people. Now we have more than 100 people learning to become Norah performers, which I think makes the future of Norah very promising. Ekkachai also gives scholarships for students who help us carry on our folk culture as a means to raise awareness.
Tell us more about your life right now.
I’m currently in my last year at Ramkhamhaeng University, studying Political Science. I’m continuing to gain more experiences by practicing other skills like learning how to sing luk tung and play ligay to polish up my talent. Going out with Ekkachai helps me meet new artists and get more experience.
Do you have anything to say to encourage people to see the value of Norah?
I want Thai people to think of Norah not just only as a folk art but as a national art. We need to remind ourselves that our culture is our roots and in now way is it inferior to Western culture.
Serd is in Bangkok cinemas now. Watch the trailer below:
