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Master of puppets
For the first time in over a century, the lost art of Hun Luang will be performed, at the royal funeral of King Bhumibol


At first glance, the puppets look like nothing more than wooden dolls. They wear the costume of traditional khon performances, their curved fingers capped by long, brass fingernails. When a puppeteer pulls strings -- neither from above or from inside its clothes, but underneath -- the puppets come to life and perform classical dance moves almost like a human.

The puppets are called Hun Luang (Royal Puppets) or Hun Yai (Big Puppets). Lost and unseen for 150 years, the ancient art was revived by the Fine Arts Department last year, and will be one of the highlights of the performances at the royal cremation of King Rama IX on Oct 26.

https://www.bangk...of-puppets