Ramakien

The Ramakian ( Thai: รามเกียรติ์, RTGS transcription Rammakian, pronunciation: [ ra ː mmáki ː at ], where the Thai version is easier rāmakīrti recognize the Sanskrit etymology, with Sanskrit Kirti, 'honor', so in honor of Rama ') is the Thai version of the Indian national epic Ramayana.

From the Ramayana to Ramakian

Dating originally from India Ramayana epic was BC by Valmiki, a scholar who had first lived as a hermit in the woods, written in the 3rd century. Indian merchants, travelers and scholars brought the story to Southeast Asia, where they spread first found in the historical part of the Khmer ( Funan, Angkor ) and Java ( Srivijaya ), who were in close economic and cultural exchange with India.

In the late 1st millennium the epic was also known in the coming immigrant from southern China to Southeast Asia, Thai. The oldest records of residents of the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai, which tell about the epic, from the 13th century. Initially, the story in the form of shadow theater (Thai: หนัง, nang, German: " leather " ) enacted, similar to the famous Wayang Kulit from Indonesia. The characters of the story in the form of flat, made ​​of leather, painted and attached to wooden rods shadow puppets were moved by the puppeteers in front of a lit cloth, on the other side sat the spectators.

Only in the 18th century was the story in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai on the following Kingdom of Thai recorded in writing. Several adaptations developed. 1767 conquered and devastated the Burmese king Hsinbyushin the Thai capital of Ayutthaya and let the court musicians and dancers procrastinate to Ava. With them the Ramakien came to Burma. To Myawaddy Mingyi U 1789 contributed Sa and other members of a commission appointed by the king, the Ramakien in the Burmese version Yama Zatdaw.

The most famous traditional version is under the supervision of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I, 1736-1809 ) emerged, the founder of today existing in Thailand Chakri Dynasty, who at times has worked 1797-1807 on the text design.

From the reign of King Phra Phutthayotfa the paintings with depictions of scenes from the Ramakian on the walls of the Phra Rabiang ( ambulatory, gallery) surrounding the Wat Phra Kaeo in the capital Bangkok come. His son Phra Phutthaloetla ( Rama II, 1766-1824 ) wrote another version for dancers. This special form of courtly dance, Khon ( Thai: โขน ) called, has only stories from the Ramakian to content. The dancers wear this elaborate costumes and masks. The latter are especially identifying the different characters.

Originally, the Khon dance was performed only at the king's court. About 100 years ago, this art form was also presented to ordinary people and is now on the teaching program of the Thai College of Dramatic and Performing Arts. On the occasion of the 60th jubilee of King Bhumibol presented 40 dancers, dancers and musicians the Khon dance in a tour of 13 September 2006 to 1 October 2006 for the first time in Germany and Switzerland. Today, the Khon dance is performed regularly at the Sala Chaloemkrung Royal Theatre in Bangkok.

A Thai epic

The Ramakian has since its inception become an integral part of Thai culture. There is now little more considered as adaptation of a foreign seal, but is rather part of one's cultural identity.

A prerequisite was that the stories were adapted to the living conditions and lifestyle of Thai. Not only were the names of the acting characters, from God Phra Narai ( Ramayana: Narayana ), about the hero Phra Ram ( Ramayana: Rama ) to the demons Totsakan ( Ramayana: Ravana ) adapted to Thai conditions, but also virtually all other details the narrative. ( The Thai names correspond to the names or epithets of heroes on Sanskrit, such as the god Vishnu 's nickname is Narayana and the demon Ravana Dashakantha the nickname, the " Zehnhälsige "). Location descriptions were well matched to the land of Thai, for example, Phra Ram, the son of the King of Ayutthaya (which is after the Indian Ayodhya, Rama's hometown in the Ramayana, named) was born, as well as the descriptions of the palaces, the clothing of the actors their customs and manners and more.

In terms of content, there are some differences from the Ramayana. While the narrative corresponds in outline to that of the Indian prototype, for example, the role of Hanuman, the god - king of the monkeys, and expanded the story a happy ending was added.

The Ramakian of King Phra Phutthayotfa is considered one of the masterpieces of Thai literature and had great influence on their development. It is still read and taught in the schools of the country. Also, the performing arts, especially the Thai art of dance, was affected. So go Khon and Nang, originally applied only at the royal court Dramatic Arts, it back.

The question whether the Ramakian not be regarded more as a Hindu because as a Buddhist work, is denied by Paula Richman. She cites the Epilogue, has written the King Phra Phutthayotfa itself: "Those who attend a festive performance of Ramakian, should not be carried dazzle beautiful appearance, they should carefully note the inconsistency. " The Thai word that have used the author to convey the notion of deception is lailong, a direct translation of the Pali word moha. Moha is a central concept of Buddhism, it refers to one of the three mental poisons ( kilesa - อา สว กิเลส ): greed ( lobha - โล ภะ ), hatred ( dosa - โทสะ ) and delusion ( moha - โมหะ ). The word that he used to remind his readers of the instability is anitchang ( อนิจจัง ), the Thai transcription of the Pali word anicca. Rama I - as Paula Richman - has thus once again demonstrated his belief in the epilogue, that the Ramakian can learn about Buddhist teachings and insights analogous and should be.

Content of Ramakian

The story of the Ramayana is transferred to the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Phra Witsanu where Vishnu is reborn as Phra Ram.

The main characters

Gods

• Phra Itsuan - supreme god in the sky mountain Krai Lat ( Sk īśvara, epithet for God Shiva)
• Phra Narai - Phra deputy Itsuan ( Sk Nārāyaṇa immersed in the Sanskrit literature ( in general) as a nickname for Brahma, Vishnu and Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, on The Thai Phra Narai is the God Vishnu.. )
• Maleewarat - God of Justice

Ayutthaya

• Phra Ram - Main character ( equivalent to the Rama of the Ramayana ), who embodies the good; it is introduced in Ramakian as the son of the king of Ayutthaya Ekathotsarot and is the incarnation of the god Phra Narai.
• Sida Nonglak - embodies the charming wife of Phra Ram, the purity and fidelity
• Phra Lak Phra Prot and Pra Sat Rut - stepbrothers of Phra Ram and incarnations of various gods
• Ekathotsarot ( Lord of the 10 cars) - Third King of Ayutthaya and father of Phra Ram and his stepbrothers

• Hanuman - immortal Monkey King, who supported Phra Ram and symbolizes fidelity and helpfulness
• Palithirat, Sukreep - two uncle of Hanuman and successively kings of Kin Kit, the capital of the Apes
• Ongkot - monkey prince and son of the Pali Thirat

• Totsakan - ten -headed king of the demons of Long Ka and strongest adversary Pra Ram
• Intorachit - a son of Totsakan
• Kumphakan - stepbrother of Totsakan and a demon with strong forces
• Maiyarap - as a monkey with magical powers king of the underworld