Stuccos of Musicians

The construction history remains unclear. However, the art characteristics suggest that it might have been built in Dvaravati period.

Stuccos decorating architecture

It was discovered at Chedi no. 10 Meung Kubua, Meung District, Ratchaburi.

There are five women sitting in a row. They only wear “Panung” while the top part of their body is covered with a cloth hanging through their shoulders. The left woman was playing wooden rhythm clappers, the next woman was singing, the middle woman was playing 5-stringed lyre, the next woman was playing mall cup-shaped cymbals and the woman on the right was playing the lyre.

These ares stuccos of people playing music. They are very intact. This is a good portrayal of how music is played in Dvaravti.

Although these musicians may not be fully compared with the present Thai Orchestra, they are similar to lyre playing band, which is the origin of the Thai grand Orchestra band.

ผาสุข อินทราวุธ, ทวารวดี การศึกษาเชิงวิเคราะห์จากหลักฐานทางโบราณคดี. กรุงเทพฯ : อักษรสมัย, 2542.

รุ่งโรจน์ ธรรมรุ่งเรือง, มรดก 1,000 ปี เก่าสุดในสยาม, กรุงเทพฯ : มิวเซียมเพรส, 2556.