Traditional T'ai Arts in Contemporary Perspective

The papers contained in this book examine a variety of forms of artistic expression, including weaving and fashion, carving, painting, and dancing, as well as boxing. The chapters are written by academics and artists and the volume as a whole reflects a blending of the perspectives of those who study the arts and those who practice them. While the focus is on the arts of Tai peoples in Thailand, attention is also paid to Tais in the neighboring countries of Laos, Burma, China, and Vietnam. Such a geographical spread reflects a growing interest in the comparative study of Tai-speaking peoples living in different political and social settings in an effort to better understand common themes in Tai culture and how it has evolved throughout the region. The chapters are accompanied by ninety-three color photographs that provide a pictorial survey of the forms of artistic expression among Tai peoples.