Pakistani history is rich with volumes on Taxila and Gandhara civilizations, which made their way into the Thai cultural conscious as part of Buddhism years ago.
This was stated by Thai Ambassador to Pakistan Marut Jitpatima on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Pakistan. He was speaking at a cultural night organised by Embassy of Thailand at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Tuesday.
He added that several words and images associated with ancient civilisations flourishing in the vast region of what later became a part of Pakistan have been passed into the Thai language and perception.
To commemorate the occation, a cultural troupe from Thailand presented a number of dances and tableaus. The night was filled with performances starting from the Dance of Kinari, Manohra the Dance of Sacrifice, which featured a woman dressed as half-bird-half-woman creature in traditional Thai silk skirt and embellished crown and wings.
The performance was followed by Manohra Dance of Fire Sacrifice, which reflects the fast and graceful movement of Thai classical dance with live music.
Other performances included Fon Pang dance, or Candle dance, which is performed in honour of the Buddha. Female dancers pay homage to the divinities that protect the eight cardinal points of the Earth, asking them to pass through the candlelight in homage to the Buddha.
The next performance, from the southern part of Thailand, was Nohra and Sud Chatri; it was performed by men with live music, pipes and drums as homage to the dance masters. Other performances, the Rabam Eichanee, the fight of the short and long sticks, Hanuman in Pursuit of Suwanna Matcha and Serng Garbo were particularly captivating.
The ambassador in his speech said that such cultural events will help strengthen relations between the two and they will dispatch a cultural troupe to Thailand soon.
He said that the bilateral cooperation between both the countries has strengthened and exchange of visits have increased. He added that the trade volume has doubled over the past 10 years and growth is expected to go up to five-10 per cent each year.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2011.
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