Doi Suthep temple gets master’s touch
Written by Writer on Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Doi Suthep temple gets master’s touch
Cheewin Sattha
CHIANG MAI : Talented Lanna artisan Rung Janta is one of the key members of a team of craftsmen recently appointed to restore the 15th century Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai.
Lanna artisan Rung Janta is playing a key role in the renovation work at Phrathat Doi Suthep temple. CHEEWINSATTHA
The 35-year-old from Chom Thong district said he is glad to be part of the team given the rare opportunity of beautifying the temple, which has partly deteriorated over a long period of time.
“I will do my best to conserve this archaeological site and follow the guidelines of the Salah, who built the Doi Suthep pagoda,” he said.
The term Salah is from the northern dialect and used to refer to craftsmen who specialise in the unique art of the ancient Lanna kingdom in the North of Thailand. This group of craftsmen has played a major role in creating traditional northern architecture, whose style is quite different from that in other parts of the country.
Mr Rung has had a strong interest in Lanna art since he studied at the faculty of architecture at Rajamangala University of Technology at the Lanna Campus in Chiang Mai. He showed his talent when he was a student by designing a hall for Wat Sob Tia, a temple in his hometown.
He later honed his skills when he worked with experts in the northern office of the Fine Arts Department. One of his co-workers was former department chief Arvuth Ngernchuklin, a national artist who is leading a team building the royal crematorium for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.
His ongoing work at the highly respected Doi Suthep temple will further enhance his reputation as a skilled artisan. Inside the temple is the Doi Suthep pagoda, which houses relics of the Lord Buddha. The building, the most important icon in Chiang Mai, is covered with thin gold leaf and has been a major religious centre for Buddhists since it was built in 1486.
“Every stage of our restoration needs special techniques,” Mr Rung said of his work, which also aims to reflect the glory of northern architecture.
The work is divided into three parts. The craftsmen will first reinforce the top of the pagoda, which is now prone to vibration. They will then remove the granite floor around the pagoda and replace it with Lanna quarry tiles featuring flower patterns on their surface.
“We’ll lay the floor with soil that will keep out any moisture before covering it with the tiles.”
The final task is to build larger drains to keep the area dry. The total budget for the restoration work is estimated at 6.6 million baht.
Mr Rung will use his experience building and restoring northern architecture. His masterpiece was his design of a lavish and impressive Royal Pavilion, or Hor Kham Luang, for the 2006 flora expo in Chiang Mai. He hopes his experience will lead to a similarly impressive outcome for the Doi Suthep temple.
Bangkok Post
Saturday October 25, 2008
