The objective of the research is to study the background, the development and to analyze the essence of Ram Deed Hai. The methods used include studying from books and documents, interviewing and self-dance practicing. It was found that the musical band culture in the North Isan influenced by Laos is the combination between the musical instruments made by folk wisdom and the popular traditional music as nowadays we call Pong Lang band. Ram Deed Hai first appeared in 1985. Afterwards, it has been changed from using a male jar player to a female jar player. Niya (Cherdchu) Rangsena, a second year high level student of Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts at that time, invented the performance of Ram Deed Hai in order to attract the audience. Two institutes that sent the performance in the event promoting Isan culture (held by the Tourism Authority of Thailand) were Roi-Et College of Dramatic Arts and Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts. As all performers were females, this outstanding piece was then widely appreciated. Later, the musical instruments have been developed to include the acoustic lute and the bass lute which produced the fine melody. The role of the jar’s sound then was reduced so the jar players didn’t need to stick their posture to the melody production. This made Nang Hai (female jar player) can move freely in many postures and made the show more interesting. Nang Hai became the leading role of the band from then on. The essence of Ram Deed Hai is the dance with non-regulation of dramatic elements but maintaining the main dramatic structure. The performers have to focus on the hip movement based on Thai classical dance and Thai Isan folk dance. They also have to understand the rhythm and the musical structure as well as invent the improvisational movement according to other elements. The performers should produce the creativity and the identity in their postures such as Jeeb alternating with Tangwong, beckoning or sprinkling fingers, crossing hands playing jars and lifting jars in many postures. For legs and feet movement, it includes lowering the knees, dragging the feet, lowering and stretching the legs while kicking the feet in accordance with the hip and head movement, releasing the weight to the legs to stably support the postures of leaning back, slanting and twisting the body. The performers can change their posture and reduce pains and aches during the change of rhythm by moving thoroughly the stage such as walking up and down, walking around the jars, dancing with the musicians (Nai Kro and Mo Kan) who are flirting with them, and dancing accompanied by Pong Lang, Isan folk band. For the costume, they use traditional materials. The jars are mostly decorated with the fabrics similarly to the flowers or painted into many coloring designs. The structure of Ram Deed Hai became the essence for the choreographer to further create the performance of Ram Deed Hai in Thai Isan folk dance and various Thai contemporary dance styles in the present.
