Ramakian is the national epic of Thailand and is based on 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 which was prepared in 1797 under the supervision of King Rama 1, his son, Rama 11 rewrote some parts of his father's version for Khon drama. The work has had an important influence on Thai literature, art and drama. The Khon Dramas are based upon it.
While the main story is identical to that of the Ramayana, many
other aspects were transposed into a Thai context, such as the clothes,
weapons, topography, and elements of nature, which are described as
being Thai in style.
While Thailand is considered a Theravada Buddhist society, the Brahman mythology derived from the Ramakian serves to
provide Thai legends with a creation myth, as well as representations
for the spirits that both help and hinder humans on their way to
enlightenment, as well as a balance to other former beliefs.
A painted representation of the Ramakien is displayed at Wat Phra Kaoe and many of the statues there depict characters from it. The Thai version of the legends were first written down in
eighteenth century, during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Most editions, however, were lost when the
city of Ayutthaya was destroyed by armies from Burma in 1767.
The version recognized today was compiled in the Kingdom of Siam
under the supervision of King Rama I, the founder of the
Chakri dynasty, which still maintains the throne of Thailand. Between
the years of 1797 and 1807, Rama I supervised the writing of the
well-known edition and even wrote parts of it. It was also under the
reign of Rama I that construction began on the Grnd Palace in Bangkok which includes the grounds of the Wat Phra Kaeo the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The walls of the Wat Phra Kaew are lavishly decorated with paintings representing stories from the Ramakien.
Rama II (1766-1824) further adapted his father's edition of the
Ramakien for the khon drama, a form of theater performed by
non-speaking Thai dancers with elaborate costumes and masks. Narrations
from the Ramakien were read by a chorus to one side of the stage. This
version differs slightly from the one compiled by Rama I, giving an
expanded role to Hanuman, the god-king of the apes, and adding a happy ending.
Since its introduction to the Thai people, the Ramakien has become a
firm component of the culture. Though many consider it only an
adaptation of a strange work from an archaic system of beliefs, it is
firmly embedded in the cultural history of the country and the people.
The Ramakien of Rama I is considered one of the masterpieces of the
Thai literature. It is still read, and is taught in the country's
schools.
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