Thai literature

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The Thai literature is so far relatively unknown in the West. While the literature of most non-European peoples has been devoted to more than 200 years, the literature of the Thais has only been dealt with for a few generations. Only very few selected works are even available in translation.

Even for most Thais it is difficult to deal with literature, as most of the historical works have not yet been printed, while others are only available as manuscripts in the national library, of whose existence at best experts are aware.

In 1996, Professor Witayakorn Chiangkul ( วิทยากร เชียง กูล ) of Rangsit University and a number of scholars worked with a number of scholars to compile a “List of 100 Books Every Thai Should Read” ( 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 around 20 years old.

On what is now Thai soil, Buddhist literature was also written in Pali , particularly by monks in the Lan Na empire of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Sukhothai period literature

In 1283 a forerunner of today's Thai script was introduced by King Ramkhamhaeng . King Ramkhamhaeng developed the script based on the model of the Khmer script of the time, 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 were written by members of the nobility on palm leaf manuscripts. Most of these narratives deal with gods and other beings from Buddhist and Hindu mythology .

Probably the oldest poetry, probably from the Sukhothai period, are the Suphasit Phra Ruang ("The proverbs of Phra Ruang"). The literary genre of the Suphasit (Sanskrit: subh āṣ ita), instructive, sometimes moralizing verses, continued into the 20th century.

The best known and most important work from the Sukhothai period is the Traibhumikatha (also: Tebhumikatha - "Treatise on the three worlds", or also: Traiphum Phra Ruang ). It was probably built in 1345 by order of the Sukhothai ruler Lithai ( พญา ลิ ไทย ). The influence of this work on art and architecture can still be felt today.

As legendary as Phra Ruang is the harem woman Nang Nopphamat ( นาง นพมาศ ), the "first female writer of Siam". She is said to have been born under Loe Thai as the daughter of the court Brahmans and Purohits Chotirat ( โชติ รัตน์ , also: Phra Si Mahosot พระ ศรี ม โห ส ถ ) and his wife Reodi ( เรวดี ) and to have served at the court of "Phra Ruangs". As a harem lady (“Thao Si Chulalak”, ท้าว ศรี จุฬาลักษณ์ ) of King Lithai, she wrote down some of the court's customs in her “ Correctness rules for harem ladies” ( Tamrap thao si chulalak ).

Ayutthaya Period Literature

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

Early Ayutthaya period

Little is known to us from the first two centuries of the Ayutthaya period. On the one hand, some things may not have been preserved, but on the other hand, this period served more for military consolidation, so that there was little leisure for literary creation.

Of cultural and historical interest is a text preserved from the beginning of the dynasty ( Ongkan chaeng nam ลิลิต โองการ แช่งน้ำ , for example "Royal Water Curse "), a cycle of verses recited by the court Brahmins on the occasion of the oath of allegiance. Before military and civil officials took their oath, the royal weapons were immersed in holy water, which was then drunk by the vowers. Meanwhile, the Brahmins were reciting verses threatening the oath-breaker with a curse and punishment.

The victory of King Trailok ( Boromatrailokanat ) (1448–1488) over the northern Thai principality of Chiang Mai is described in the Lilit Yuan Phai ( ลิลิต ยวน พ่าย "The defeated northerners"). The poetry Thet Mahachat , which is based on the Vessantara- Jataka , is believed to have originated at the suggestion of King Trailok .

The reign of King Narai (1657–1688)

The reign of Narai the Great ( พระ นารายณ์ มหาราช ) is widely recognized as the golden period of poetry. The four-line meter Khlong ( โคลง ) was created at his court . The king held regular khlong competitions, giving a line or two, which his courtiers then completed.

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 one meter, Lilit ( ลิลิต ), that mixes verse with chanting prose.

Of the many talents at the king's court, the names of Maharatchakhru "The great, royal teacher", Phra Horathibodi "The court astrologer" - he wrote the first "grammar work" / textbook for language and poetry or metrics, remained with us over the centuries Chindamani -, Si Mahosot and Si Prat ( ศรี ปราชญ์ ) passed down.

King Narai is also said to have been involved in numerous translations of Buddhist "birth stories", the Jatakas .

Late Ayutthaya period

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

King Borommakot (1733–58) was also recognized as a poet. However, his son Chaofa Thammathibet ( เจ้าฟ้า ธรรม ธิ เบ ศร ) became more famous . He is regarded as one of the most important poets in the country, and his works are required reading in Thai schools. His “rowing songs ” ( กาพย์ เห่เรือ - Kap He Ruea ) are almost synonymous with his name . There are different types of them, some extol the beauty of the boats of the Royal Boat Procession, others individual boats and their rowers, still others describe trees and flowers on the bank or beautiful girls. Today his rowing songs are used in the procession of the royal boats on the Mae Nam Chao Phraya ( Chao Phraya River ) so that the rowers do not lose their rhythm.

Small section from the Ramakien, wall painting in Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok

Thonburi and early Rattanakosin period literature

In 1797, under the supervision of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok ( Rama I , ruled from 1736 to 1809), the Thai version of the Indian national epic Ramayana was created : Ramakien had a great influence on Thai culture in the 18th century. Since then, this epic, which differs in some aspects from the Ramayana, has been taught and taught in schools. At the beginning of the 19th century numerous plays and literary works were created at the royal court. The kings Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok and Phra Phutthaloetla ( Rama II , ruled from 1809 to 1824) were involved in the adaptation of the old Javanese story Inao ( อิเหนา ) and promoted Thai literature. The romance Inao is one of the most important works of the 19th century as it deals with the customs and traditions of culture.

The Thai poet Sunthon Pu ( สุนทร ภู่ , 1786–1855) wrote the Nirat "Phra Bat" in 1807. 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 goes through many adventures in Thailand.

The verse epic Khun Chang Khun Phaen was also written at this time . The material, a classic triangle story , goes back to traditional folklore that was recited over generations by so-called Sepha narrators . In the early 19th century it was recorded by several authors of the literary salon at the court of Rama II - including Sunthon Phu - and expanded with many details and decorations. The work is one of the most important classics of Thai literature, was the model for numerous songs and works of art, shaped a number of proverbs and sayings in everyday Thai language and has been filmed several times.

The kings Chulalongkorn ( Rama V , reigned from 1868 to 1910) and Vajiravudh ( Rama VI. , Reigned from 1910 to 1925) were also writers who also wrote in prose for the first time. Chulalongkorn continued the educational policy of his predecessor and wrote the Klai Ban ("Far From Home") collection while traveling in Europe in 1906 . Vajiravudh was very interested in literature and languages ​​in his childhood. Among his best-known works are Matthana Phatha , Phra non Kham Luang or articles like Muang Thai Chong Tun Thoet .

The first print of the stories about Sri Thanonchai ( Thai : ศรี ธ นนท์ ชัย ), a figure in Thai folk literature related to Till Eulenspiegel , dates from the end of the 19th century .

Modern Thai literature

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

Three people were born in 1905 who will publish successful books in the later years. MLBupha Nimman Hemin ( ม. ล. บุปผา นิมมาน เห มิ นท ร์ ), also known by her stage name Dokmaisod ( ดอกไม้ สด ), was an influential writer of modern Thai literature. She was mainly represented in the genre “family drama” and was able to bring out well-known books such as “Kwam Phid Krang Raek” ( ความ ผิด ครั้ง แรก - First Mistake ) or “Sam Chai” ( สาม ชาย - 3 Men ). Her book Nueng Nai Roi ( หนึ่ง ใน ร้อย ) is on the "List of 100 Books Every Thai Should Read". Kularb Saipradit ( กุหลาบ สาย ประดิษฐ์ ) was a well-known columnist as Sri Burapha ( ศรี บูรพา ) in the early 1930s and published works such as Lae Pai Khang Na ( 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, which he published under the title Lakorn Haeng Chivit ( ละครแห่ง ชีวิต ). A set of Thai postage stamps was dedicated to these three authors in 2005.

Malai Choopinij worked intensively on short stories under his stage names Mae Anong and Noi Intanon . His most famous works are Thung Maharat and the adventure story Long Phrai .

Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj and Pira Sudham are among the most important representatives of Thai literature in the 20th century . Kukrit Pramoj ( คึก ฤทธิ์ ปราโมช ; * April 20, 1911, † October 9, 1995) wrote mainly short stories that deal with Thai culture. A well-known collection of short stories was published in Thailand under the title "Lai Chiwit" ( Many Lives ). In January 2000 this drama was translated into English and published in Europe. His most elaborate work was published under the title "Si Phaen Din" ( Four Reigns ) in 1953. This work was also translated into English and was published in 1999. It even served as a template for a popular TV series in Thailand. The historical drama deals with King Chulalongkorn and the society of that time. Pira Sudham ( พี ระ สุ ธรรม - * 1942) comes from Isan . Many of his books ("The Force of Karma", "Monsoon Country"), which document his love for the people of the Thai northeast, have been translated into English. Also known are the author Ngarmpun Vejjajiva and Chot Praephan , whose story Phu chana Sip Thit , set at the Burmese royal court, was the model for a television series.

literature

  • Plueang Na Nakhon เปลื้อง ณ นคร. : Prawat Wannakhadi Thai Samrap Naksueksa ประวัติ วรรณคดี ไทย สำหรับ นักศึกษา . 7th edition. Thai watthanaphanite, Bangkok 2525 BE [c1982].
  • Sombun Bunrit & Thawisak Thongthip (editors) สม บูร ณฺ บุญฤทธิ์, ทวี ศักดิ์ ทอง ทิพย์ (บรรณาธิการ) . (Authors: Lecturers ( คณาจารย์ ) of the MCU .) Ngan wichai lae wannakam thang phraphutthasatsana (Research and Literary Works on Buddhism) งาน วิจัย และ วรรณกรรม ทาง พระพุทธ ศา ศ นา . Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University , Bangkok 2008.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Klaus Wenk : The literature of the Thai - an overview . German-Thai Society , Bonn 1992, ISBN 3-923387-17-2 .
  2. ↑ a b Book Review: "Hundred Best Thai Books in the Past Hundred Years" and list of 100 books ( Memento from May 9, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) (English / Thai)
  3. ↑ Wenk
  4. ^ Frank E. Reynolds, Mani B. Reynolds (translation, introduction and notes): Three worlds According To King Ruang . Berkeley 1982, ISBN 0-89581-153-7
  5. ↑ Wenk
  6. ↑ Wenk
  7. ↑ Wenk
  8. ↑ Wenk
  9. ↑ Thailand-interaktiv.de ; can be found in the literature section , published in 2001
  10. ↑ Chris Baker , Pasuk Phongpaichit (Ed.): The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen. Siam's Great Folk Epic of Love and War 2010. (English translation with numerous annotations), 2 volumes. Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai 2010.
  11. ↑ Ampha Otrakul (transl.): ไกล บ้าน (Glai baan) - Far from home. King Chulalongkorn's travel diary 1907. Royal Thai Embassy, ​​Berlin 2007, ISBN 978-974-9898-32-1
  12. ↑ Mahidol.ac.th ( Memento of November 23, 2002 in the Internet Archive ) (in English); can be found in the literature section , published in 2002
  13. ↑ siamstamp.com - Century of Modern Thai Writters
  14. ↑ MR Kukrit Pramoj (transl. Meredith Borthwick): Many Lives. Silkworm Books Chiang Mai 1999, ISBN 974-7100-67-3 .