Thai literature

The Thai literature has been relatively unknown in the West. While the literature of most non-European peoples has been dedicated for over 200 years, one is occupied with the literature of the Thai people for only a few generations. Very few selected works are ever present in a translation.

Also for most Thais, it is difficult to deal with literature, but much of the historical works is not yet printed, while others only exist as manuscripts in the National Library, at best professionals to know of their existence.

Created in 1996, Professor Witayakorn Chiangkul ( วิทยากร เชียง กูล ) Rangsit University on behalf of the Thailand Research Fund with a number of scientists, a "List of 100 books that everyone should read Thai " ( หนังสือ ดี 100 เล่ม ที่ คน ไทย ควร อ่าน ). In a report he later admitted that most titles are difficult to obtain, even if they are only about 20 years old.

On today Thai soil and Buddhist literature in Pali was written, especially by monks in the Lan Na kingdom of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Literature of the Sukhothai period

In 1283, a forerunner of today's Thai font of King Ramkhamhaeng was introduced. King Ramkhamhaeng developed the script along the lines of the former Khmer script, which ultimately goes back to the southern branch of the Indian Brahmi script family. Until the destruction of the city of Ayutthaya in 1767, the Thai works of members of the aristocracy were written on palm leaf manuscripts. Most of these stories deal with gods and other beings of Buddhist and Hindu mythology.

Probably the oldest seal, probably arise from the Sukhothai period, the Phra Ruang are Suphasit ( " The proverbs of Phra Ruang "). The literary genre of Suphasit ( Sanskrit: subhāṣita ), didactic, sometimes moralizing verses, sat down to continue into the 20th century.

The most famous and content also significant work from the Sukhothai period is the Traibhumikatha (also: Tebhumikatha - " Treatise on the three worlds," or: Phra Ruang Traiphum ). They probably originated in 1345 on behalf of the Sukhothai ruler Lithai ( พญา ลิ ไทย ). The influence of this work on art and architecture is still felt today.

As legendary as Ruang Phra Nang is the harem woman Nopphamat ( นาง นพมาศ ), the "first writer of Siam ". It will be designed Loe Thai daughter of Hofbrahmanen and Purohits Chotirat ( โชติ รัตน์, also: Phra Si Mahosot พระ ศรี ม โห ส ถ ) and his wife Reodi ( เรวดี ) be born and at the court " Phra Ruangs " have served. As a lady of the harem ( " Thao Si Chulalak " ท้าว ศรี จุฬาลักษณ์ ) of King Lithai she wrote in her " etiquette for ladies of the harem " ( Tamrap thao si Chulalak ) down some customs of the court.

Literature of the Ayutthaya period

The literature of the Ayutthaya period comes mainly from the reign of the kings Trailok ( Borommatrailokanat ) (r. 1448-1488 ), Narai (reigned 1656-1688 ) and Borommakot (reigned 1733-1758 ).

Early Ayutthayazeit

The first two centuries of the Ayutthaya period is slightly down to us. For one, some may not be obtained, on the other hand, however, this time was more of military consolidation, so that there was little leisure for literary work.

From a cultural-historical interest is a preserved from the beginning of the dynasty text ( Ongkan Chaeng nam ลิลิต โองการ แช่งน้ำ, about "Royal Water Curse "), a cycle of verses that were recited by the Hofbrahmanen the occasion of the ceremony of Treueeidablegung. Before the military and civilian officials were sworn, the royal arms were immersed in holy water, which was then drunk by the swearing. Meanwhile Brahmins recited verses, which were threatening the oath breaker curse and punishment.

The victory of King Trailok ( Boromatrailokanat ) ( 1448-1488 ) via the Northern Thai principality of Chiang Mai is ( ลิลิต ยวน พ่าย " The defeated North Country") described in Lilit Yuan Phai. Presumably, at the suggestion of King Trailoks which is based on the Vessantara - Jataka seal Thet Mahachat said to have originated.

The reign of King Narai (1657-1688)

The reign of Narai the Great ( พระ นารายณ์ มหาราช ) is generally recognized as the golden period of poetry. At his court 's four-line meter Khlong ( โคลง ) was born. The king held outright Khlong competitions by two lines pretended, which then completed his courtiers.

The romantic story Lilit Phra Lo ( ลิลิต พระ ล อ - " The story of Prince Lo" ) is the first example of Thai entertainment literature. The story of Prince Lo was written in a meter, Lilit ( ลิลิต ), mixes the verses with skandierender prose.

Of the many talents at the court of the king remained to us over the centuries the name of Maharatchakhru " The great, royal teacher," Phra Horathibodi " The court astrologer " - he wrote the first " grammar book" / textbook for Language and Literature or metric Chindamani -, Si and Si Mahosot Prat ( ศรี ปราชญ์ ) survived.

King Narai was said to be also involved in numerous translations to Buddhist "birth stories," the Jatakas.

Late Ayutthayazeit

At the end of the 17th century, the lyrical genre Nirat ( นิราศ ) was born. The best known representative of this genus is the writer Si Prat, later Sunthon Phu.

King Borommakot Even ( 1733-58 ) was recognized as a poet. Famous but his son Chaofa Thammathibet ( เจ้าฟ้า ธรรม ธิ เบ ศร ). He is regarded as one of the most important poets of the country, his works are required reading in Thai schools. ( กาพย์ เห่เรือ - Cape Hey Ruea ) almost synonymous with his name on his " boat songs " are used. Of them there are different types, some praise the beauty of the boats of the Royal procession of boats, other individual boats and their oarsmen, others describe trees and flowers on the shore or gorgeous girl. Today his boat songs are used in the procession of royal barges on the Chao Phraya river, so the rowers not missing a beat.

Literature of the Thonburi period and early Rattanakosin period

In 1797 was built under the supervision of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I, ruled 1736-1809 ), the Thai version of the Indian national epic, the Ramayana: the Ramakien has greatly influenced the Thai culture in the 18th century. Since then this epic, which differs in some aspects from the Ramayana, taught and taught in schools. At the beginning of the 19th century the royal court numerous plays and literary works. The kings Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke and Phra Phutthaloetla ( Rama II, ruled from 1809 to 1824 ) were at the adaptation of the old Javanese narrative Inao ( อิเหนา ) involved and have the Thai literature encouraged. The romance Inao one of the most important works of the 19th century, as it deals with the habits and customs of the culture.

The Thai poet Sunthorn Pu ( สุนทร ภู่, 1786-1855 ) wrote in 1807 that Nirat " Phra Bat". In the following years he worked on the epic " Phra Aphai Mani ", which is one of his most famous works. In this romantic adventure a prince lived through many adventures in Thailand. The Kings Chulalongkorn ( Rama V, reigned 1868-1910 ) and Vajiravudh (Rama VI. , Ruled 1910-1925 ) were excellent writers who have first written in prose. Chulalongkorn continued the education policies of his predecessor and wrote during his trip to Europe in 1906, the collection of Klai Ban. Vajiravudh interested in his childhood very much for literature and languages. Among his most famous works are Mattanah Phatha, Phra Luang non Kham or items such as Muang Thai Chong Tun Thöt.

, One of the Till Eulenspiegel related figure of the Thai Folk Literature: From the end of the 19th century, the first printing of the stories about Sri Thanonchai ( ศรี ธ นนท์ ชัย Thai ) comes.

Modern Thai Literature

The Thai Phya Anuman Rajadhon writer (1888-1969) is a recognized representative of modern Thai literature. As president of the Siam Society, he was on the Thai culture is very interesting and has published numerous articles (Popular Buddhism in Siam and Other Essays on Thai Studies) as well as books. His 100th birthday was celebrated in 1988 by the UNESCO, and him the Thai social activist and spokesman of the nonviolent movement for democracy Prof. Sulak as " National Hero" - paid tribute to National Hero.

In 1905, three people were born which will publish successful books in the later years. MLBupha Nimman Hemin ( ม.ล. บุปผา นิมมาน เห มิ นท ร์ ), also by her stage name Dokmaisod ( ดอกไม้ สด ) is known, was an influential writer of modern Thai literature. She was represented mainly in the Genre " family drama " and was well-known books such as " Kwame PHID Krang Raek " ( ความ ผิด ครั้ง แรก - First Mistake ) or " Sam Chai " ( สาม ชาย - 3 Men) to bring out. Her book Nueng Nai Roi ( หนึ่ง ใน ร้อย ) is on the " list of 100 books that everyone should read Thai ." Kularb Saipradit ( กุหลาบ สาย ประดิษฐ์ ) was as Sri Burapha ( ศรี บูรพา ) in the early 1930s, a well-known columnist and published works such as Lae Pai Na Khang ( แล ไป ข้าง หน้า: ภาค ปฐมวัย - Looking Forward ) or Khang Lang Phab ( ข้าง หลัง ภาพ - Behind the Painting). Arkatdumkeung Rabhibhadana ( ม.จ. อากาศ ดำเกิง รพี พัฒน์, born November 12, 1905) wrote a series of dramatic books that he ( ละคร แห่ง ชีวิต ) published under the title Lakorn Haeng Chivit. These three authors was dedicated in 2005, is a set of Thai stamps.

Malai Choopinij dealt by his stage name Mae Anong and Noi Intanon intensively with short stories. His most famous works are Thung Maharat and the adventure story Long Phrai.

Among the most important representatives of the Thai literature in the 20th century include the Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj and Pira Sudham. Kukrit Pramoj ( คึก ฤทธิ์ ปราโมช; born April 20, 1911 † 9 October 1995) wrote mainly short stories that deal with culture. A well-known collection of short stories was published under the title " Lai Chiwit " ( Many Lives ) in Thailand. In January 2000, this drama was translated into English and published in Europe. His aufwendigstes work appeared under the title " Si Phaen Din " (Four Reigns ) in 1953. This work was also translated into English and published in 1999. It even served as a template for a popular TV series in Thailand. The historical drama deals with the King Chulalongkorn and the society at that time. Pira Sudham ( พี ระ สุ ธรรม - * 1942 ) comes from the Isan. Many of his books ( "The Force of Karma ", " Monsoon Country" ), which document his love for the people of Thailand's Northeast, have been translated into English.