Gone are the days when monks utilized candles to provide gentle, but the tradition associated with candle offering on Khao Phansa, the first day of Buddhist Given which falls on July 14, proceeds, and with it Lent candle processions.
These candlestick parades showcasing elaborate wax carvings in order to mark the introduction of the three-month wet retreat for monks are held across the country. However , many think no province may rival Ubon Ratchthani when it comes to this form of artistic creation.
In 1977 the annual procession in this northeastern state gained recognition from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and it has since gone onto become the province’s greatest festival with a competition thrown in for added flavour.
Ubon Ratchathani’s candle work for Khao Phansa never ceases in order to amaze visitors and also the local community, that has its local artists to thank for his or her craftsmanship, creativity plus devotion to keeping the tradition in existence.
Perseverance
Wichit Boonjing, a 60-year-old self-taught craftsman, continues to be taking part in the Lent candle procession for a long time for Wat Khum Klang in Muang district and walks away with a handful of prizes every year.
In this year’s contest on July 13, his work depicts the story of Lord Buddha whenever he attained enlightenment. The main piece and other components including Phra Malai’s journey in order to heaven will be shown on an 8-metre-long trailer.
Mister Wichit’s carved candle lights have been showcased in many countries such as Singapore, China and Japan. The fact that one of their Lent candles will be installed at Suvarnabhumi airport speaks regarding his craftsmanship.
It got decades of coaching to master his artwork skills and regardless of years of work this individual feels a rush of excitement every day he gets to work.
“I work every day every day I feel freshened, fun and challenged. Candlestick carving requires patience and determination which form the foundation of success, inch he said.
He created interest in candle carving when he is at his early teens and began carving candles without official training or guidance.
He collected old candlestick stumps in a can, melted them in to liquid and put it into a bamboo barrel.
When the wax has been set, he carved simple traditional Thai patterns into it and repeated this process for a long time. It was learning simply by trial and error.
Back in those days, artisans did not like to talk about their knowledge and thus he kept themselves close to these masters, quietÂly observing them at work.
He had a chance to acquire skills after beginning by helping with candle carving on various temples. Mister Wichit said he has been training younger generations in this craftsmanship to keep the Lent candle procession full of life.
Sudsakhon Wangdee, who has greater than 10 years of experience in Lent candle making, said making candles is a laborious task requiring patience and skill.
Candle trunks created by his team for this year’s procession depict the life of Lord Buddha from birth to enlightenment to death, and therefore are for Wat Phra That Nong Bua. “We work day in, day out to carve candle trunks. It really is exhausting but we keep working. It’s worth it when we see the reactions from both Thais and foreign people, ” he stated.
Mister Sudsakhon is a building contractor by occupation and his skill sets in construction help him make strong fundamentals for large-sized candlestick trunks and other elements.
Team effort
While Mr Wichit carves an elaborate design on the candles trunks as ton thian , 57-year-old Sukhom Chaowalit specilases in another technique known as tid-pim .
In this technique, the interior of the candle trunks is made of coconut coir tied jointly and coated along with plaster.
Moulds are used to make hundreds of thousands of pieces of dok phueng with various forms and forms use with decorating the candlestick trunks as created by artists.
There is no carving or even scraping in the process of attaching dok phueng or designs to the candle trunks, a technique from which title tid-pim started.
Mr Sukhom’s team for the Lent candle procession comprises people of various professions who get together to create candle trunks.
Earning Lent candles just for Wat Burapha and have won many awards.
Over the million pieces of dok phueng from 30 patterns happen to be made for this year’s event. It is a labour-intensive and time-consuming procedure, but Mr Sukhom believe it has its merits.
“I like this method because it creates careers for others. People who are trained in this method can use this particular skill in other work and expand their skill.
“Moreover, it is about teamwork and unskilled students can do easy patterns using sharp sticks, ” this individual said.
Mr Sukhom had been interested in candle work in his teens and asked to try his hand, but without any skills no one reliable him with this sensitive work.
It was Surin Kanchanasane, a veteran of within the art, and his boy who gave him a chance.
Under their guidance, he started out along with jobs like polish kneading before working with patterns and other tasks in the Lent candle-making process.
With more than 30 years of experience, Mr Sukhom is one of the province’s greatest hands in this technique.
“I wanted to be the best and put all my hard work into candle making. But the real value is in keeping the particular tradition alive. And, ” he said, Ubon Ratchathani’s Given candles are widely known for their Buddhist art. ”
Faith, art and tradition
Pongrat Piromrat, governor of Ubon Ratchathani, said the Lent festival kicks off these days and activities will be held until This summer 17 at Thung Sri Muang.
In the lead-up to Asanha Bucha Day which falls on Wednesday, people can observe candlestick making at eight local communities.
A procession of royally offered Lent candles plus bathing robes takes place on Wednesday morning, followed by a ceremony to launch the particular Lent candle procession part of the event.
On Thursday, Lent candles plus floats put together simply by masters and their apprentices will be paraded through town plus accompanied by various performances.
The particular candle procession festival in this northeastern province is believed to date back to the reign of King Rama, each time a local official thought about making large-sized candle lights for offering in order to monks to give all of them light during Buddhist Lent.
Candles, which were linked together and are available small bundles, had been then melted together and the liquid has been poured into a mold to create even bigger candles. The details of candles have become progressively elaborate over the years.
These reputed ceremonial activities act as a showcase to get Ubon Ratchathani’s rich culture each year and have also brought a few financial reward towards the community, which makes available small carved candles among other souvenirs and mementos for sale to tourists.
Local artists are contracted simply by individuals or companies to make Lent candles, some of which have been people paid prices up to one million baht.