lakhon nai
{{Short description|Thai performing art}}
{{Dance drama of Indochina
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|caption = A Siamese theatrical group c. 1900
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Lakhon nai ({{langx|th|ละครใน}}, {{IPA|th|lā.kʰɔ̄ːn nāj|pron}}) is a Thai performing art originating in the royal court of Thailand (formerly Siam). It features slow choreography accompanied by a piphat ensemble. The repertoire of lakhon nai consists of only four epics; the Ramakian, Unarut (Aniruddha), Inao (Panji), and Dalang (a greater version of Inao).{{cite book|last1=Brandon|first1=James R|title=Theatre in Southeast Asia|date=1967|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=0674875877|url=https://archive.org/details/theatreinsouthea0000bran|url-access=registration|accessdate=16 October 2017}}{{RP|67}} A variation of this genre with male performers is called lakhon nai phu chai ({{langx|th|ละครในผู้ชาย}}; {{rtgs|lakhon nai phu chai}}).
Etymology
Lakhon nai is believed to be a contraction of lakhon nang nai (ละครนางใน), or 'theatre of the women of the palace'.{{RP|63}} It was also known as lakhon khang nai (ละครข้างใน, literally, 'theatre of the inner court') and lakhon nai phra ratchathan (ละครในพระราชฐาน, literally, 'theatre of [belonging to] the king').{{Cite web |url=http://www.anurakthai.com/thaidances/thaidrama/thaidrama3.asp |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-06-14 |archive-date=2011-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904042215/http://www.anurakthai.com/thaidances/thaidrama/thaidrama3.asp |url-status=dead }}{{failed verification|date=October 2017}}
References
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