Ramakien
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Ramakien is Thailand's national epic, derived from the Indian Ramayana epic. A number of versions of the epic were lost in the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767. Three versions currently exist: one of these was prepared in 1797 under the supervision (and partly written by) King Rama I. His son, Rama II, rewrote some parts for khon drama. The main differences from the original are an extended role for the monkey god Hanuman and the addition of a happy ending. The work has had an important influence on Thai literature, art and drama (both the khon and nang dramas being derived from it).
While the main story is identical with the Ramayana, many other aspects were transposed into a thai context - for example the clothes, weapons, nature are described as being thai style. Even the names of the characters were changed, like the god Narayana which is called Narai.
A painted representation of the Ramakien is displayed at Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew, also many of the statues there depict characters from it.
Note: the following is translated from the German version of the article
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From the Ramayana to the Ramakien
The Ramayana originally originating from India became in the 3. Century v. Chr. von Valmiki, first a scholar later as Eremit in the forests living and, written down. Indian dealers, traveler and scholar brought the narration to Southeast Asia, where them first in the historical realms of the Khmer (Funan, Angkor) and Javas (Srivijaya), which in close economic and cultural exchange with India stood, spreading found.
In the late 1. Millenium became the Epos also with that, from which southern China coming to Southeast Asia zuwandernden, Thai admits. The oldest recordings of the inhabitants of the Thai kingdom Sukhothai, which on the Epos report, originate from that 13. Century. At first history became in the form of shade theatres (thai: ????, Nang, German: Leathers) after easily, similarly from Indonesia admitted Wayang Kulit. The characters of the narration in the form of flat, from leather manufactured, painted and to holzstaeben fastened shade dolls a cloth lit by the doll players before moved on its other side the spectators sat.
Only in 18. Century was noted the narration in Ayutthaya, to the kingdom of the Thai following on Sukhothai, in writing. Several different Nachdichtungen resulted by those most during the conquest and destruction of the city Ayutthaya from the army Pegus (today Myanmar) in the year 1767 were destroyed.
Under to versions delivered today that one is under the supervision and partially of king Rama I. (* 1736-?1809), the founder to today in Thailand existing Chakri dynasty, even in the years 1797 to 1807 written the most well-known.
From the reign king Ramas I. also the painting with representations originates from scenes from the Ramakien at the walls that, wades to Phra Kaeo in the new capital Bangkok surrounding, wall. Its son, Rama II. (* 1766-?1824), a further version for dancers wrote. This special form of the hoefischen dance art, Khon mentioned, covered excluding narrations from the Ramakien. The dancers carried thereby artful costumes and masks. The latters served above all also the identification of the different characters.
A Thai Epos
The Ramakien became since its emergence a firm component of the Thai culture. It is regarded today hardly more than adaptation of a strange seal, but is rather part of the own cultural identity.
A condition for it was that the narrations were adapted to the life circumstances and way of life of the Thai. Only the names of the acting characters did not become, of the God Phra Narai (Ramayana: Narayana), over the hero Phra RAM (Ramayana: Rama) up to the Daemonen Totsakan (Ramayana: Ravana) adapted to Thai conditions, but also practically all other details of the narration. Topographies were adapted likewise to the country of the Thai, e.g. Phra RAM born as a son of the king Ayutthaya, like also the descriptions of the palaces, the clothes of the actions, their customs and umgangsformen and much more besides.
Also contentwise some differences to the Ramayana exist. While the narration in its fundamentals corresponds to those of the Indian model, for example the role of Hanumans, the god king of the apes was extended, and history Happy ending was added.
The Ramakien Ramas I. is considered as one of the masterpieces of the Thai literature and had large influence on their development. It is read and taught also today still in the schools of the country. Also the representing art, in particular the Thai dance art, was affected of it. Thus Khon and Nang, originally only at the royal yard exercised dramatic arts, decrease/go back to it.
Contents of the Ramakien
The history of the Ramayana is transferred thereby to the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, where Vishnu is again-born as Phra RAM.
The main figures
Gods
- Phra Isuan - highest God on the sky mountain Krai Lat
- Phra Narai - deputies of Phra Isuan
- Mali Warat - God of the Gerchtigkeit
Ayutthaya
- Phra RAM - Main figure (corresponds to the Rama of the Ramayana), which property embodies; it is introduced to the Ramakien as a son of the king Ekathotsarot of Ayutthaya and is the Inkarnation of the God Phra Narai.
- Nang Sida Nonglak - the bezaubernde wife of the Phra RAM, which embodies purity and faithful * Phra Lak, Phra Phrot and Phra Sat Rut - stepbrothers of Phra RAM and Inkarnationen of different Gods
- Ekathotsarot (' ' master of the 10 cars ' ') - 3. King of Ayutthaya and father of Phra RAM and its stepbrothers
Aid of the Phra RAM
- Hanuman - unsterblicher ape king, who symbolizes Phra RAM supported and loyalty and helpfulness
- Pali Thirat, Sukhrip - two uncles of Hanuman and successively kings of kit Kin, the capital
of the apes
- Ong Khot - ape prince and son of the Pali Thirat
Opponent of the Phra RAM
- Thot Sakan - zehnkoepfiger king of the Daemonen of Long Ka and strongest adversary Phra RAM
- Inthorachit - a son of the Thot Sakan * Kum Phakan - stepbrother of the Thot Sakan and a Daemon with strong forces
- May Yarap - as a donkey with magic forces king of the underworld
References
- Thai Ramayana (abridged) as written by King Rama I, ISBN 9747390183
- The story of Ramakian - From the Mural Paintings along the Galleries of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, ISBN 9747588358
External link
English and Thai text of the work, with audio reading in Thai (http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Thai/literature/ramakian/ramakian.htm)
| Hinduism | Hindu mythology |
| Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Indra | Gayatri | Lakshmi | Sarasvati |
| Texts: Ramayana | Mahabharata |