Teerawat “Art” Ukris leads efforts to preserve Rong-Ngeng, blending traditional folk music with contemporary sounds to engage future generations.

A rhythmic dance to melodies that stir the soul, the video above is performed by Poetry Garden – a music band rooted in Krabi province in Southern Thailand. Influenced by the traditional Rong-Ngeng music of the sea gypsies from Lanta Island, their sound is both soulful and rich, offering entertainment that connects with local heritage. 

Preserving cultural art is essential to keeping local heritage alive, as music continues to entertain, connect and inspire across generations. One person leading this effort is Teerawat “Art” Ukris, a violinist in Poetry Garden, dedicated to making folk music more accessible and appreciated by blending its traditional roots with the charm of contemporary sounds.

A Childhood Violin, A Lifelong Journey

“I’m working to preserve traditional music that’s on the verge of disappearing, with the hope that it will continue to resonate with future generations in Thailand and beyond.”

In the band, Art takes part in designing and leading music activities to help bring traditional folk songs into the mainstream. 

Rong-Ngeng is a traditional folk performance that blends dance and song, similar in style to Ramwong, a Thai circle dance. The performance has deep roots in a fusion of South Indian and Javanese-Malay cultures and a variety of musical influences from other foreign traditions including Chinese, Arab and the Western colonial era. 

His deep-rooted passion for cultural preservation and musical performance was sparked by his father, Winai Ukris – known in literary circles as Wari Wayu – a contemporary poet and songwriter behind Yellow Bird, a song that honoured the heroes of the 14 October 1973 uprising. 

Growing up surrounded by music and poetry, Art was immersed in creative expression from a young age. At around 7 or 8, his father insisted he learn the violin during every school break. Though it began as something he was pushed into, it gradually turned into a genuine passion, shaping the musical path he continues to follow today.

Art’s Vision: Modernising Rong-Ngeng for New Audiences

Originally Poetry Garden focused on Krabi, preserving the authentic, local essence of traditional song and dance.  However, when Art moved to Bangkok to expand the reach of his music, he admitted that performing with a full band wasn’t as feasible as it had been in his hometown. As a result, he decided to reduce the size of the band yet retain the music and melody while introducing a new approach. The aim was to make Rong-Ngeng more contemporary, yet still stay true to its cultural roots in order to appeal to a wider, younger audience. He does this by blending styles to show how versatile Rong-Ngeng can be, incorporating jazz, blues-style vocals, and even classical instruments like the double bass or cello for a fresh and dynamic sound.

“The biggest challenge I faced in my career was the limited number of specialists in this field.”

Although cultural traditions are losing their significance among the younger generation, Art isn’t giving up and takes it upon himself to actively seek out knowledge and build connections to overcome the challenge. 

Creating Spaces for Rong-Ngeng Music

“I plan to create a space for those interested in Rong-Ngeng music and continue organising events that keep the tradition alive and accessible.”

Art and his friends are striving to create opportunities to share their music because, at the very least, they want the soulful sounds of the sea gypsies to reach the ears of city dwellers. Even if people may not recognise or understand it, they remain hopeful that the music will leave a lasting impression. For Art, this is what preserving Rong-Ngeng truly means.