Banyen Rakgan

Born to a contractor father and housewife mother in Ubon Ratchathani, Banyen has always had a vocal gift, one which caused her aunt, mor lam master Noowiang Kaewprasert, to become interested in training Banyen even before Noowiang had heard her sing. When she was 14, she studied singing and dancing with her aunt.[1][3]

Later Rungsimun, a powerful, massively popular, legendary mor lam troupe came calling. Master Thongkum Pengdee was looking for a new leading lady, and Banyen was recruited. Banyen was famous when she performed with Rungsimun since she was 17 years old.[1]

She is also a student of National Artist, Master Chaweewan Dumnern.[4]

Banyen was the first national mor lam star, whose appearances on television in the 1980s brought the form to an audience beyond its northeastern heartland. She bridges the gap between traditional and modern mor lam, normally appearing in traditional clothing but using electrified instruments and singing luk thung and dance-influenced songs.[5]

She has three children Annie Rakkaen, Candy Rakkaen and Toni Rakkaen. Banyen later separated from her husband, and he took her three kids to Australia where they grew up, while she went to the US to perform regularly for the Thai community there. Her children and grandchildren now live in Bangkok, allowing her to be a doting mother and grandmother.[1]

She has also teamed up with her daughter, Candy, for an Isan pop-rock troupe that mixes modern music with applied and traditional mor lam. Banyen handles the traditional part.[1]