สำนักงานราชบัณทิตยสภา

107  The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 lodgings formerly provided by the Palace. Some of the performing arts objects, such as Khon masks, were left unattended and lost. The property of the Department of the Performing Arts, for example, masks, headdresses, and costumes for Khon and Lakhon, were turned over to the National Museum, and it was subsequently left to the curator to keep or sell them as seemed fi t. However, the Minister of the Palace Affairs at that time tried to fi nd means to preserve the performing arts for posterity. A year after King Rama VI’s demise, the minister kept the cost down by keeping fewer artistes and lowering their salaries, or placing some in other departments, so that they could earn their living and keep alive the knowledge of the performing arts. By the end of 1926, a Division of the Performing Arts was established. In 1935 this division moved from the Ministry of Palace Affairs to become part of the Department of Fine Arts (Krom Silpakorn) in the Ministry of Education. The School of Nataduriyangasastra (School of Drama and Music) which was set up in 1934 welcomed the artistes from the Division of the Performing Arts to teach in the school. In this way the performing arts, including Khon and Lakhon, have been carried on and fl ourished up to now. During the present reign of King Rama IX, thanks to royal patronage, especially that of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and that of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the traditional performing arts of Thailand have been well supported and cherished as one branch of the precious Thai national heritage. Her Majesty the Queen has paid much attention to Nang Yai and Khon, while Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has extended her interest into Thai traditional music. The Princess plays the Ranat (Thai xylophone), the So (Thai violin) and sings Thai traditional songs. Her performances for the public encourage young Thais to learn and perform Thai traditional music. Srisurang Poolthupya