Piphat Dukdamban is a Thai traditional music ensemble that was developed during the reign of King Chulalongkorn.  The characteristic of the ensemble is its mellow sound with bright-sounding instruments were removed from a piphat ensemble.  The ensemble is used indoors for European banquets and plays.  Original compositions and adaptation of existing repertoire were made appropriate to the ensemble. 

The ensemble had fallen out of use almost to the point of inexistence.  Chulalongkorn University conducted historical research on the instruments used in the ensemble and its performance practice, and finally brought the ensemble back to life in 1987.  Piphat Dukdamban ensemble and repertoire has been in the undergraduate curriculum of Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, as part of its effort to preserve the lost art. 

Piphat Dukdamban Performance at Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University offers free piphat dukdamban concert on the university foundation day, March 26th, of every year.  Two ensembles take part in the concert.  The first ensemble, Piphat dukdban ensemble, comprises current students and alumni under supervision of professor.  The second ensemble, Sai Yai Chamchuri is composed of Thai traditional instruments and a big band of alumni, professors, and university staff.  Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is an avid supporter of the concert.   Not only she presides over every performance, she is also involved in many ways, for example, she gave permissions to use her literary compositions as lyrics to set to new compositions to be played each year for piphat dukdamban and a university big band.

In 2019 Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn translated Chinese literature by and influential writer, Ye Shengtao, titled “A Stone Figure of an Ancient Hero” (Gǔ dài yīng xióng de shí xiàng) with an underlying tone in societal equality.  The Thai translation by the princess is in a poetic form and was given to Dr. Sirichaichan Fachamroon to set to music for piphat dukdamban and a big band with Chinese musical idioms.  Contemporary Chinese dance choreography was invented.  The performance was considered an innovation of Thai traditional music and dance.

            Performances by piphat dukdamban have yielded the following benefits:

  1. The revival and preservation of piphat dukdamban ensemble through alumni who took part in the performances who pass on the knowledge and repertoire to educational institutions throughout the country.
  2. Increased interests and support in Thai traditional music in the new generation.
  3. Strengthened ties between current students, alumni, professors, and staff in Chulalongkorn University community.