Hi!
Thank you Mel indeed for raising the point about how we should be aware and respectful of cultural differences.
But as a Thai I’ve always been somewhat puzzled by this whole head and feet thing! Of course, I cannot speak for every Thais (maybe I am just in the minority!) but I’ve never found the pointing of feet/shoes, especially in a ballet context, at all offensive. In fact, I’ve always found it interesting that it is this head/feet issue that gets brought up most often in conversations I have with foreigners, particularly when I can find many more rude things a person can do!
Anyway, from my own point of view (I could be wrong of course) I think the main obstacle faced by young dancers in Thailand is not so much this prejudice as the fact that most middle class parents (I would still consider ballet to be a middle class activity) have traditionally favoured solid academic subjects over trainings that lead to careers in the arts and sports. This is perhaps understandable since it is rather difficult to envision your child having a good career prospect when there isn’t, for example, an internationally renowned ballet company in your country.
I was actually back in Thailand about three years ago when a magazine ran an article on Nutnaree (she'd just won the gold medal at the Adeline Genee Competition at the age of 15!) and I think Nutnaree’s mother did mention that she had to think carefully about her daughter’s commitment to ballet as many people had warned that there was virtually no ballet in Thailand and if one was to make it abroad one had to be really outstanding (which Nutnaree has proved to be!)
But I think things are changing now. The tennis player Paradorn Srichapan, for example, is setting example of how dedication and hard work can lead one to have a relatively successful career as a professional athlete and the last time I was in Thailand many more children have now taken up tennis and other sports seriously. Also things like rhythmic gymnastics are becoming very popular among girls. And of course now we have budding young ballerinas so I hope that there will be more to follow the footsteps of Nutnaree (and Sarawanee at ABT).
Anyhow, I am very pleased for Nutnaree! I also saw her Lindbury performance and there was something very special about her that made me unable to take my eyes off her when she was onstage! I think there is also another Thai girl in the 2nd year and I was impressed with her, too. In fact I enjoyed the whole evening and am now feeling somewhat guilty to only have mentioned the two Thai girls since there were many wonderful performances that night! But as Jane said, please keep us posted about her progress!
