Anant Narkkong
An active Ethnomusicologist, a Theatre Composer, and the recipient of the 2019 Silpathorn Award for his achievement in creative music works. He holds a B.F.A in Thai Music from Chulalongkorn University and an M.Phil in Ethnomusicology from SOAS, U.K. Anant publishes a large number of articles in Ethnomusicology & Cultural Anthropology for newspaper and monthly magazines, as well as hosts weekly radio program in Thai music. Since 2015, he established and directed a unique C ASEAN Consonant ensemble comprising music gurus and young musicians from 10 ASEAN member countries.
At present, he works at the Faculty of Music at Silpakorn University.
For the past 30 years, Korphai has released a number of albums and has performed in numerous public concerts in Thailand and abroad. The group is also extensively involved in making background music for Thai films, documentaries, theatres, plays, and festival presentations.
In 2004, his group worked on original music for a successful Thai film, “Homrong (the Overture)”, which was inspired by his socio-music historical book – the life story of the great Thai xylophonist and composer Luang Pradithphairoh. The film and its music received high acclaim from international media critics and the general public.
Anant’s other interests in music include improvisational performance, soundscape, fieldwork recordings, sound installations, and theatre works. He often collaborates with theatre and dance companies. Recently, he worked with Pattravadi Theatre at Vic HuaHin as Music Director, where he produced many challenging contemporary theatre projects such as PraLor (2008-11), Wiwah Prasamut (2012) and Rocking Rama (2013). He hosts three weekly radio programs in Thai music and World music at the Parliament Radio Broadcasting Station andKhonmuang Radio online.
Anant has written and published a large number of articles in the areas of Musicology and Cultural Anthropology for newspapers, and monthly magazines. Since 2008, Anant has represented the Ministry of Culture Thailand as a specialist in Thai music and is a working committee member of the Asia Traditional Orchestra (ATO) and the Asia Traditional Ensemble (ATE), which produce several new ASEANKorea compositions and concerts every year.
Furthermore, he established and has served, since 2015, as Music Director of a highly unique C-ASEAN Consonant youth ensemble under the initiative and support of the Thai Beverage Company Ltd.
Currently, Anant works at the Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University as a full-time lecturer in ethnomusicology, world music, and composition. Anant is the recipient of the 2019 Silpathorn Award in the field of Music. This award is given annually by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture of Thailand, to a Thai contemporary artist who has made notable contributions to Thai Fine Arts and Culture.
Faculty of Music,
Silpakorn University,
Thailand
Presentations
2024: Thailand Noisescapes: Reflections from Recent Ethnomusicology Fieldwork
2023: The Restoration of Silent Films, The Reunion of the Late Master Nora and His Living Disciples
2022: Chang: live music for a 1927 silent film by Bruce Gaston and Fongnaam
2021: Traditions in Transition: Mapping the Past, Charting the Future