A new movie celebrates the life of luk thung singer Yodrak Salakjai

He may be gone, but the late luk thung (country-folk) singer Yodrak Salakjai is far from forgotten. Since his death from cancer last August, tributes to the legendary singer have poured in, with Four S Thailand re-releasing several of his CDs.

Fans have also been treated to a direct-to-VCD movie, Dee Rong Dee's "Kwa Ja Pen … Yodrak Salakjai" ("Becoming Yodrak Salakjai"), which chronicles the life of the Phichit-born singer, real name Nipon Praiwal, starting from his early days working with a band at Ban Rai Rungrudee restaurant in Nakhon Sawan's Takhli district in the mid-1970s.

"This movie reflects the esteem I have for Yodrak," says Dedduangdokrak Kumchana, owner of production house Dee Rong Dee. "It's factually correct because I was the guy who urged him to go professional. We went through a lot together and I knew him better than anyone."

A former radio DJ, Dedduangdokrak says he's registered the copyright of his biopic with the Department of Intellectual Property.

"The department's lawyer said that I could use his life story provided I did nothing to harm his name or hurt his family," he says.

Faithful portrayal

Directed by Nitipol Ratanadirok na Phuket, the movie starts with Dedduangdokrak (played by Dilok Thongwatana), visiting the restaurant and hearing Yodrak sing. He compares him with Waipoj Petchsupan, a popular luk thung singer of that era, and Yodrak is persuaded, to make a record under a name Yodrak Look Phichit. The song fails to make the cut.

Later, the DJ introduces him to the famous composer Cholatee Tharnthong, whose song "Jodmai Jaak Naew Na" makes Yodrak a star. In 1977, now renamed Yodrak Salakjai, he takes home Best Singer award for "Thaharn Rua Ma Laew". His fame peaks in the 1980s with such hits as "30 Yang Jaew".

"I try to imitate Yodrak's personality and mannerisms," says Katawut "Phone" Pinthong, who plays Yodrak in the film. "I don't sing - as the director wanted to use the original soundtrack. It's a challenging role."

 LAY YOUR HANDS ON

>> 100,000 copies of "Kwa Ja Pen … Yodrak Salakjai" ("Becoming Yodrak Salakjai") have been pressed on VCD and are on sale at 7-Eleven.

 >> Part of the proceeds from the sale of movie will be used to cast a wax model of Yodrak.