Banyen Rakkaen (Thai: บานเย็น รากแก่น; RTGSBanyen Rakkaen) (born on October 14, 1952, to an Isan family in Ubon Ratchathani province in the Isan region of Northeast Thailand) is a Thai mor lam and Thai luk thung singer. Banyen Rakkaen is known as the "Queen of mor lam"[1][2] and after 45 years in the business she was named a National Artist in 2014 for her contribution to folk music.[3]

Banyen Rakgan
บานเย็น รากแก่น
Born (1952-10-14) October 14, 1952 (age 72)
Ubon Ratchathani, Isan, Thailand
OccupationSinger

Biography

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She is also a student of National Artist, Master Chaweewan Dumnern.[4]

Banyen was the first national mor lam star, whose appearances on television in the 1980s brought the form to an audience beyond its northeastern heartland. She bridges the gap between traditional and modern mor lam, normally appearing in traditional clothing but using electrified instruments and singing luk thung and dance-influenced songs.[5][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Pravattiyagul, Onsiri (February 5, 2014). "Musical royalty : Banyen Rakkaen has long been renowned in the mor lam scene and now she's being named a National Artist". Bangkok Post.
  2. ^ Clewley, John (January 8, 2013). "Tradition and innovation in Isan : The Northeast positively rocked last month, hosting both a molam glawn band competition and an Isan dancehall night reminiscent of a 'blues party' in South London". Bangkok Post.
  3. ^ Fredrickson, Terry (February 5, 2014). "The making of a national artist". Bangkok Post.
  4. ^ "I Saw the Queen of Morlum (And Molam and Mawlum and Morlam) - C. Buddha's Hasty Musings". Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  5. ^ "Morlam Show Notes".