#ramakien

[rrcraft-and-lore]

Ramayama- the Indian epic some of you know. But did you know of the Ramakien?

It's the Thai national epic which is their version of the Ramayama. It was Thai King Rama VI who traced back the inspirations of the Ramakien to:

Ramayana, the Vishnu Purana, and Hanuman Nataka but how did an Indian epic come to be shaped into a Thai national epic as well?

Simply put? Buddhism.

The more complicated answer? Buddhism but through missionaries after a long history of Indianized states already made it easy to spread parts of Indian culture, stories/myths, and obviously Buddhism.

What is an Indianized state? Well, some were parts of the Indochinese peninsula known as Funan (Phu Nam - Vietnam), Champa, and more (seriously, a lot more).

TLDR, Southeast and Western Asian lands that had heavy Indian influences and or rulers at one time.

Why/how? Well, interestingly, there are Chinese books that have myths/stories of this. The Book of Liang is the most popular source, and some of its stories are reiterated in Indian and Southeast Asian folkore/stories.

They are very beautiful and cool stories but the reality as argued by historians?

Likely Indian merchants seeking wider wealth (migrating through/over the Oceanic silk road routes) into parts of South East Asia who eventually shared stories/treatises and more of Indian political statecraft, eventually leading some merchants into positions of power, rulers marrying across countries to gain/strengthen power, so on. Eventually, voila. Indianized parts of the nearby world bearing Sanskrit inscriptions, Vedic/Hindu statues, and more.

A DNA sample taken from Funan from this time period shows an individual a lot of South Asian DNA admixture approximating 50 percent. The site is what is today known as Cambodia. Note: the sample dates to that time as when the individual lived, not that the sample was collected then. Now, this tradition continued of course over time. Asia was pretty well interconnected.

India and China have a rich tradition (documented) of trade of all sorts including, political craft/statecraft, ruling, censuses, well-being of people, religion/culture, philosophy, arts, and more.

So, dialed up over time, this same Indianization is what's influenced (in part, not wholly) Thailand (as it has a great deal of Chinese influence) as well. But for the purposes of the Ramakien, in the logical sense, this is likely what happened to bring the story of Ramayama, the Buddhist as well as Vedic cultural traditions found there or what evolved from them, such as the worship and reverence of/for Hanuman including him being involved in Muay Thai (note, not credited with/creating it) but he is often depicted in imagery, has a technique named after him, and regarded by many as the ultimate Thai boxer (within the culture) for the traits of the sport he embodies.

Now full circle back to Ramakien. There are some central differences, obviously given that it's more rooted in Buddhism and its tenants than the Vedic epics focused on Dharma (cosmic order/duty) vs. a Buddhist lens of living. Some of the characters are similar (not the same) and serve similar roles with name and slight changes, of course. Not to mention the history and traditions of the Jatka tales spread by Buddhism into the area over time evolved as performed by locals on stage and other venues to be more Thai, feature Thai topography and landmarks and takes.

And this is a light history on the Ramakien's coming to being and some of why there are 300 (yes 300) versions of Ramayama in the world. And, how Indianization happened in parts of the world and its effects. Which all circles back to how stories are traded, evolve and are coopted, adapted, shaped to serve/entertain the cultures they are presented/ended up in.

[heaven-is-in-your-arms-series]

Miss Earth Thailand as Suphannamatcha, the mermaid from the Ramakien.

Also spelled as Suvannamaccha.

She is a daughter of the demon king Totsakan / Ravana, sent to interfere with Hanuman's plans but she ends up falling in love with him instead.

She is a very popular figure in Thai folklore

[h0bg0blin-meat]

Suvannamacha and Hanuman were the OG enemies-to-lovers couple.

[siriwatpokrajen]

Eternal Romance - Bangkok Post's themagazine - Issue 133 - 12 February 2009

https://1drv.ms/b/c/ca0e5bb9b4202e3f/EUFz0eUoZ-5Nso-3gPUzNkUBpj8BpHq_56CrJ00SS7IsAw?e=LYm2lD

[can-they-lift-thors-hammer]

Macchanu from ramakien mini animation

[siphoklansan]

🌌 & 🎁 for the oc ask game!

<3333

*slams a pile of documents on the table* I’M GLAD YOU ASKED‼️‼️ I’ve been waiting for this moment

link to the ask game!

🌌: UEHEHEHEHEHEHE I’ll only explain my inspiration behind Anan and a vague explanation on Charin’s! Since I will be revealing Charin’s full design in the future, I want it to be a surprise!<3

As you all know (or not, dw I’ll explain again heehee), Anan is based on a literature piece called Ramakien (Thai version of Ramayna, if that rings a bell). And the character, Thotsakan (ทศกัณฑ์), is the character that I took inspiration from! He’s the antagonist of the story, so it kinda fits the theme of NRC being in a school filled with villains! (there are some morally grey and hero-like-characters but let’s not talk about that—)

The story has yakshas (ยักษ์) and such, and their distinctive appearances (that also appear in many of Thai’s mythological works), are having their lower fangs sticking out, thick brows (kinda like Sebek’s!) and they have this mark on the corners of their lips! That’s why Anan has his lil’ fangs poking out and marks on his face<3

The reason I chose Ramakien is because I find it interesting! And I felt like I would have SO much fun designing the characters based on this literature piece🕺

Thotsakan has ten faces and twenty arms, if I remember correctly😭 . At first, I initially wanted Anan to have the ability to grow more arms(?) but it seemed meh to me, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because it’s to typical and I wanted something different? While I was searching for a last-name for Anan, I came across ✨ Atthakornmetha✨ it means “a philosopher with great skills as if they possess 8 arms” and I thought: “WELL— THOTSAKAN HAS MANY LIMBS SO WHY NOT?”

The tattoo on Anan’s back is based on a belief in ancient times, where if a man (supposedly a warrior) is adorned with it, they’ll be invincible or something. It’s called สักยันต์ (Sak-Yun). Sak means to engrave/tattoo and Yun means talisman! That’s why in Anan’s “Unique Magic & Abilities” section mentioned Thick Skin. I wanted to interpret the slang หนังเหนียว (Nung-Neaw), which basically means “sticky skin” but it sounded weird so I went with thick instead.

The towel that is wrapped around Anan’s waist is supposed to resemble a โจงกระเบน (Jong-kra-ben). You can search up the info about it since I’m bad at explaining clothes </3

As for Charin, he’s also based on a character in Ramakien. I won’t tell you which, but I’ll give a hint: half merman and yaksha🕺

The swirly-thingy on his cheeks is a character design I see A LOT in monkeys (mostly in Thai comics and such, or maybe I’m tripping). I think it’d be cute for Charin to have it <333

🎁: I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THIS CUZ I’VE BEEN YAPPING ABOUT THE CHARACTER DESIGN OMFG BUT!! YES, ANAN WILL DEFINITELY GIVE GREAT GIFTS!! He always listens to you, so he knows what you like, dislike or something you’re interested in. You could be saying something random on a Saturday evening AND HE’LL REMEMBER. He cares a lot for his friends<3 The range from an extravagant gift to small a small trinket depends on your likes/dislikes. Oh- and don’t worry about the price, he’s royalty.

For Charin, I think he’d give good gifts too! Mostly things that remind him of you, and the reasons behind it is always so sweet. He’s not the type to give something extravagant, so it’d be a small gift. He’s more like the type to take you out to your favorite restaurant/café and stuff. It’ll be his treat<3

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK AND IM SORRY IF THIS IS TOO LONG— I’VE BEEN WAITING TO INFO DUMP ABOUT THIS♡´･ᴗ･`♡

[pignk]

I wanna show you guys something here.

Gotta admit first that I’m Thai to begin with.

And these sketches, at first I had a funny thought about ;What if Ramakien has a proper game like Wukong?; I’m literally got this whole idea when I was in a shower so I rushed outta there and draw these pics none stop for a whole day.

I wanna share you these because I think that it’s quite interesting. For me as a Thai person, I rarely see any game that based on Ramakien which us Thai people adore it so much, so yeah, I was just imagine “What if we got that AAA game about Ramakien?”

My huge inspirations here is Black Myth: Wukong, I love the fact that the main character is a monkey, so iconic, honestly love that. And the user interface theme I was inspired by Witcher 3 and Starfield. Also the bathing scene for the second pic I got an idea from Red Dead Redemption 2.

Please, I expect no drama or hateful behavior here, my brain wasn’t in a right state when I was in the shower. I’m not claiming that Ramakien is a Thai thing, I just draw these characters and plot in Thai version. Thank you🙏

(Sorry for my error grammar, but I tried my best.)

[tagamantra]

ruminations while daydreaming of scenarios for THE KNIGHT VAGRANT: i've been enamored with the phrase "tyranny of the plot" recently. a lot of writing advice i get is squarely from western tradition. and there, plot and character are paramount. god forbid your plot has holes!

but looking at writing traditions from my side of the world: the repetitiveness of epics, the "simpleness" of the plot, the long winded, sometimes abrupt asides in the adventure solely for the sake of the adventure, like in the ramakien or florante at laura...

in modern writing perspectives these things serve to weaken the plot, to weaken the narrative being told. cut out chaff, make it tighter! "don't include things that don't advance the plot." this is my least favorite of the advices

but it makes sense, right? sometimes a fiction meanders too much, it doesn't do anything, it doesn't "push anything forward." but my favorite tales are those where the characters just fuck about. learn about something. find something new.

the sequence in which a story moves is plot. points along a thread that is the story. but plot has become a conformist tool. if it is not engaging (in the way we want it to be) then it is bad plot. if the plot is not understandable (in the way we want it to be) then its bad plot

"we" in this sense is, usually, modern readers of the anglosphere! because a lot of plot formation and dialectic is informed by capitalist structures. plot has to be strong and interesting for it to sell well.

intro -> rising action & climax -> conclusion. act 1, act 2, act 3. monomyth, etc. etc.

i think, recently, this is why i've been gravitating a lot to more nontraditional plot styles, such as the kishotenketsu, chinese xianxia styles (an endless stream of one person getting stronger), poetry, and non-fiction. i think i have to break out of this market plot to really burgeon in my prose

again ruminations brought about after watching this vid a few months ago

[themakeupbrush]

Miss Supranational Thailand 2023 National Costume

The practice of “Na Nah Thong” also known as “The Golden Face” is considered the ultimate devotion to the Buddhist virtues that have been passed down for over 100 years. It originated from a character in the Thai legend Ramakien called “Phra Lak” who possesses a golden complexion, a majestic appearance, and enchanting charisma. He is beiges by humans and various celestial beings. Therefore, the concept of the “Golden Face” is used to bestow blessings.

[dreamerssea]

In Thai culture, Hanuman (หนุมาน) is a significant figure in mythology, literature, and performing arts. He is a key character in the Ramakien (รามเกียรติ์), the Thai adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Hanuman is depicted as a white monkey god with immense strength, agility, and intelligence. He serves as the loyal commander of Prince Rama’s (พระราม) monkey army in the battle against the demon king, Thotsakan (ทศกัณฐ์, the Thai version of Ravana).

In Indian culture, Hanuman is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the god of strength, devotion, and courage. He plays a crucial role in the Ramayana, where he is the devoted disciple of Lord Rama and helps rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. Hanuman is the son of the wind god Vayu and Anjana, making him exceptionally strong and swift. He is a devoted servant of Lord Rama and a key warrior in the battle against Ravana. 🤎

[salmonpiffy]

Redesign Sita from Mantra Warrior: The Legend of The Eight Moons. It's a Thai animation movie about Ramakien (or Ramayana) but Sci-fi

[heaven-is-in-your-arms-series]

When I wrote Unravelling In Your Arms, I took heavy inspiration from the costumes shown on this page.

There are some great close ups of the gorgeous details that traditional Khon costumes showcase.

Dressing Gods and Demons: Costume for Khon — Google Arts & Culture

[siriwatpokrajen]

Completely Thai in France - ThaiDay - 14 July 2006

https://1drv.ms/b/c/ca0e5bb9b4202e3f/EXq5ZkDdOYJDnMujYk5VB4cBVr5gpLH4tJ2YnETLxP7sbQ?e=5SLlFA

[siphoklansan]

Introducing…𖦹 ׂ 𓈒 ⋆ ۪

mentioned: Lilia Vanrouge, Anan Atthakornmetha, Charin Kamolnath

꧁𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐤𝗼𝐫𝐧𝗺𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚꧂

มธุรา อัฐกรเมธา 𖦹 ׂ 𓈒 ⋆ ۪

“Exiled to the deep, where the nagas reside; never to return again.”

Height : 197 cm.

Birthday : 9th of May

Age : 700+

Homeland : East of Scalding Sands (Attidaya)

Best Subject : None.

Club : None.

Talents : Ancient Magic, Fighting

Hobby : Taking care of his pet naga (Nham)

Dislikes : royalty

Favorite Food : Miang kham (เมี่ยงคำ)

Least Favorite Food : Unseasoned, plain food.

꧁𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜꧂

- 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝗺𝐲: The ability to manipulate a large amount of individuals (specifically an army) at once to turn viciously attack their own. This ability can only be activated when Mathura uses a special flute. The drawback to this ability is unknown, possibly minor fatigue.

- 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧: Warriors are adorned with talisman (tattoos) , giving wearers resistance to black magic and blot. And also some resistance to normal physical damage (ex. a normal blade, a bullet)

- 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠: A skill obtained from battles near and/or in the sea, Mathura is able to breathe underwater.

꧁𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝗼𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐚꧂

- Mathura is based on the Ramakien character Maiyarap (ไมยราพ)! Maiyarap is a violent yaksha with light purple skin, and is a dangerous warrior who later on died by the hands of Hanuman.

- It took me painful hours to come up with his Unique Magic name, and I even had help from my sister😭 So the name is not the best, I know </3

- Maiyarap had two abilities, one is to make an entire army to fall asleep by his flute, and second is to turn invisible👁️👁️. I wanted something along those lines for Mathura, but I realized that the original ability is similar to Malleus’s.

- I really, really like the name “Maiyarap” and initially wanted to use that name but I decided not to because Mathura is based on him, not a carbon copy of him.

- The rose carving on his earring symbolizes the flowers on a dancer’s crown (ชฎา), which also means that Mathura does dancing in his free time!

- Mathura’s purple hair is purely based on the fact that Maiyarap had purple skin✨

- Unfortunately, Mathura is usually in the deep sea so he is technically considered an NPC. But I can promise that there will be appearances of him in my big project (regarding the mysterious oc of mine 👀)

- Not so fun fact, I redrew him 3-4 times. Those were not happy times at all. I suddenly forgot how to draw old men and I struggled SO bad.

- Mathura is dressed like the uncle next door (for those SEA fans out there, yes he’s only clad in a towel wrapped around his hips) but tbh his age would make him more like a great great great great great great great grandpa next door-

꧁𝐀𝐛𝗼𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐚꧂

- Mathura Atthakornmetha was the general of Attidaya (East of Scalding Sands) for centuries until he was exiled to the deep sea due to treason.

- The deep sea in Attidaya is home to sea dragons known as naga, and Mathura has made one his own pet named Nham!

- As his surname suggests, he is Anan’s uncle! However, they have only met on several occasions, and Anan was still a child in those times.

- Charin knows Mathura very well, since Mathura was his mentor back in the deep sea. They cut ties as soon as word got around that Charin was getting fighting lessons from a criminal though, yikes😟

- Mathura was a very strict and ruthless mentor at that time, and he’s guilty of it ever since Charin left. He couldn’t help but think that maybe he should’ve been more gentle with the merman, since he was such a young boy :(

- The huge gash on his chest was caused by none other than Anan’s father right before the verdict that leads to Mathura’s exile.

- Mathura is a very…unhinged and vulgar type of guy. He’s incredibly blunt too, will tell you straight on about what he thinks and feels. He’s not the type to sugarcoat his words, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t feel bad about it afterwards…..on rare occasions.

- Mathura sucks, and I mean SUCKS at naming things. Never let this man name your pet cuz bro named his own pet naga Nham, which literally means WATER.

- “Well, she’s in the water and she’s a sea dragon, so?” <— his words

- Speaking about his pet naga, he babies her so much. He would clean her scales as a hobby. He just loves taking of a sea dragon that can swallow him hole🥰 would use a baby voice to talk to her too-

- You might be thinking that Mathura probably respect women like Anan and Charin. You’re not wrong, but he also won’t hold back with women unlike those two. A woman’s gonna fight him? Bring it on honey cuz he ain’t holding back too💪👹

- Bro’s the type to have a resting bitch face and is ACTUALLY a bitch, too.

- Yes, he knows Lilia.

- But there’s still a possibility for you to befriend him…though it might take a long time to break down this ex-generals walls, he’s quite lonely. He’ll give you a chance- if you’re worthy enough, of course.

I know I usually post my OCs on followers milestone events, BUT as the majority of you guys voted to see the next OC, I shall deliver✨ He’s not the typical twst oc but this is all I got😞 I’ll make comic on him soon but for now, thank you all so much for sticking around my blog despite my hiatus and supporting me along the way💖🫶 I love you all so much /pla<333

[famousinuniverse]

Traditional Thai Dances & Their Origins

The Land of Smiles – Thailand – is known for its friendly people and grand palaces. 

But more than anything else, it’s known for its incredibly rich culture. Any visitor to Thailand is highly recommended to watch a performance of traditional Thai dance at least once.

But did you know that there are dozens of dances in the country?

If you don’t have a tour guide with you, you can count on this guide to give you a broad overview of all the classical Thai dances!

3 Main Categories Of Classic Traditional Thai Dance

Khon Dance

Khon is a Thai classical dance-drama that combines intricate movements, elaborate costumes, and storytelling. It is often performed during religious ceremonies and royal events. 

The performers wear ornate masks and costumes depicting characters from the Ramakien, the Thai adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana. 

The dance movements in Khon are highly stylized and require years of training to master. 

This traditional dance form showcases the rich cultural heritage of Thailand and has been passed down through generations.

Lakhon Dance

Lakhon is a revered form of Thai classical dance that traces its origins back to the royal courts of ancient Thailand. 

It is a graceful and highly stylized dance characterized by intricate hand gestures, elegant movements, and ornate costumes. 

Lakhon Thai dance serves as a platform for expressing historical tales, myths, and spiritual beliefs, with performers skillfully conveying emotions and narratives through precise movements. 

This traditional dance form is a living embodiment of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. It preserves the beauty and grace of bygone eras while enchanting audiences with its timeless allure.

Lakhon Nai

Lakhon Nai is a refined and graceful dance form that originated in the royal courts of Thailand. 

It is performed by female dancers who wear traditional attire, including a long-sleeved blouse, a long skirt, and a crown. 

Lakhon Nai combines intricate hand gestures, delicate footwork, and expressive facial expressions to convey emotions and tell stories. 

This dance form reflects the elegance and sophistication of the Thai court tradition.

Lakhon Nok

Lakhon Nok is a lively and comedic dance-drama featuring male and female performers. It is known for its humorous and exaggerated movements, as well as its vibrant costumes. 

Lakhon Nok often incorporates slapstick comedy and satire. It entertains audiences with its playful and light-hearted style. 

This dance form is commonly performed during festivals and celebrations to add joy and laughter to cultural events.

Lakhon Phatang

Lakhon Phatang is a form of dance-drama that originated in the southern region of Thailand. It combines dance, music, and theater elements to depict local folktales and legends. 

The performers use their bodies and facial expressions to portray characters. 

This dance form reflects Thailand’s cultural diversity and showcases the southern region’s unique traditions.

Lakhon Lek

Lakhon Lek is a traditional form of puppetry dance in Thailand. It involves using small puppets made of carved wood, cloth, or leather, controlled by puppeteers skilled in manipulating the puppets’ movements. 

Lakhon Lek’s performances often depict episodes from the Ramakien or other mythical stories. 

The puppeteers bring the puppets to life, enacting scenes with intricate choreography and synchronized movements. 

Lakhon Lek showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of Thai puppetry. It delights audiences with its enchanting performances.

Fon (Faw Thai Dance)

Fon, also known as Faw Thai, is a traditional dance style that celebrates the vibrant culture of Thailand’s northern region. 

It is a lively and energetic dance form characterized by quick footwork, rhythmic clapping, and dynamic movements. 

Fon is often performed during festivals and joyful occasions, reflecting the vitality and zest for life that defines Thai culture. 

This vibrant dance style not only showcases the physical prowess and agility of the dancers but also serves as a means of cultural expression, fostering a sense of community and collective celebration. 

With its infectious energy and joyful spirit, Fon continues to captivate audiences, inviting them to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of Thailand’s cultural traditions.

Fawn Tian (Candle Dance)

Fon Fawn Tian (Candle Dance) is a mesmerizing dance performed with lit candles. 

The dancers balance the candles on their heads and hands while gracefully moving their bodies. 

This dance form is often completed during religious ceremonies.

Fawn Leb

Fon Fawn Leb is a traditional Thai dance showcasing hand movements’ beauty and grace. The dancers perform intricate finger movements accompanied by elegant body postures. 

This dance form exemplifies the importance of hand gestures in Thai culture and storytelling.

Fawn Ngiew

Fon Fawn Ngiew is a dance form that originated in the northern region of Thailand. It features movements inspired by the graceful flight of birds, particularly the “ngiew” bird. 

The dancers imitate the bird’s movements. They soar through the air with flowing motions. 

Fon Fawn Ngiew combines fluid movements, agility, and a sense of freedom. It captures the essence of nature in its performance.

Fawn MactionsBer

Fon Fawn Marn Gumm Ber is a dance that symbolizes the harmony between humans and nature. It portrays the process of planting and harvesting, celebrating the agricultural traditions of Thailand. 

The dancers mimic the actions of farmers: sowing seeds, tending to the crops, and reaping the harvest. 

Fon Fawn Marn Gumm Ber expresses gratitude for the land’s bountiful gifts and the farmers’ hard work through rhythmic movements and coordinated gestures.

Fawn Marn Mong Kol

Fon Fawn Marn Mong Kol is a dance that pays homage to the ancient art of pottery-making. It represents the skill and craftsmanship involved in creating ceramic vessels. 

The dancers imitate the actions of potters, shaping and molding clay, spinning pottery wheels, and firing the kiln. 

Fon Fawn Marn Mong Kol showcases the intricate movements and precision required in pottery-making. The dance highlights this traditional craft’s cultural significance.

[zeherili-ankhein]

do you think Mahabharata or ramayana will get korean version after Bharatayuddha (indonesia) , Ramakien (thailand) ,Ramaenna (japan),Reamker (Cambodia), Hikayat Seri Rama (malaysia)?

Honestly till my knowledge goes, I don't think that's possible tho...

The Indonesian, or Japanese, or all the Ramayan you mentioned here have travelled to those lands centuries ago from our country and with due time, they have adapted their own versions with modifications to the original Valmiki Ramayan.

So now to think we can get a Korwan version... Unfortunately no that's not something that can happen...

Since not many people with like that and call it cultural appropriation (A big internet war will break out if that happens lol)

And Korean version would mean, them adapting the story in their own way, which will cause a lot of trouble since this is the modern world and you just can't go and change something like Ramayan...

So no, I don't think it's possible. Sorry :)

Hope I made my point clear with my words 😭 I always get this feeling I write jumbled stuff...