Bunpheng Faiphiuchai: Google Doodle celebrates the 89th birthday of the Thai singer ‘Queen of Mo Lam’

Google Doodle celebrates the 89th birthday of the Thai singer crowned the “Queen of Mo Lam” Bunpheng Faiphiuchai (บุญเพ็ง ไฝผิวชัย) on September 22, 2021.

Who was Bunpheng Faiphiuchai (บุญเพ็ง ไฝผิวชัย)?

Bunpheng Faiphiuchai (บุญเพ็ง ไฝผิวชัย) was born on September 22, 1932 in Ubon Ratchathani Province of Isan, Thailand.

For those hoping to comprehend the heritage of Thailand’s northeastern Isan region—the country’s biggest territory that is home to more than 22 million individuals—no other artistic phenomenon reflects its identity more than the poetic style of folk music known as Mo Lam (หมอลำ).

Bunpheng Faiphiuchai (บุญเพ็ง ไฝผิวชัย) started performing Mo Lam at a youthful age. Mor Lam (หมอลำ) performances were uncomplicated during this time—one male and one female vocalist rejuvenated stories from Isan literature by holding a musical “debate” joined by the rhythmic sounds of the khaen (a bamboo mouth organ represented in the Google Doodle artwork).

After years of training, Bunpheng Faiphiuchai became known for her clever philosophical responses to her male partners and soon got some work as a Mo Lam performer. By 1955, Faiphiuchai recorded more full-length albums than some other woman in the genre.

Bunpheng Faiphiuchai (บุญเพ็ง ไฝผิวชัย) supplemented her famous singing career with magnanimous undertakings like promoting infectious disease prevention, environmental initiatives, and different types of Thai performance art.

Bunpheng Faiphiuchai was appointed a Thai National Artist in 1997 for her remarkable cultural contributions and passed down this interesting Mo Lam skill to various students for the duration of her life.

On September 22, 2021, Google featured Doodle on its homepage for celebrating Bunpheng Faiphiuchai’s 89th Birthday.

Today, a significant number of Bunpheng Faiphiuchai’s students are notable performers of Mo Lam which stays a foundational aspect of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.