Marina Episode 138/4

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Early Ayutthaya Literature ( 1350-1529 )

The Early Ayutthaya Era began in 1350 and ended in 1529. King U Tong, the first king of Ayutthaya, declared his kingdom independent of Sukhothai in 1350. The 179 year era came to a close at the end of King Ramathibodi ll's reign. Historical events of this period brought forth literature that aimed at political stability of the country and friendly relations with foreign powers. The representative work of this period is Lilit Ongkan Chaeng Nam, an incantation in verse to be uttered before the gathering of courtiers, princes of foreign land, and repersentatives of vassal states at the taking of the oath of allegiance ceremony. It was a ritual to promote loyalty and close domestic and foreign alliances. Lilit Yuan Phai, another work of the same purpose, is a narrative poem describing the war between King Borommatrailokkanat ( 1448-1488 ) and Prince Tilokaraj of Chiang Mai. The third major word of the period is Mahajati Kam Luang written in the style of the Buddhist chant. In 1582 King Borommatrailokkanat authorized a group of scholars to write a poem based on the story of Vessantara, believed to be the geratest of Buddha's incarnations. Their joint effort was this great work and the precedence of reciting Maha, the Great Life, was then established.
The fourth piece is Lilit Phra Lo, the first poem to play on the emotions of the reader. Its author is unknown. This work is believed to have been written by the beginning of King's reign, certainly not later than 1656. The plot came from a folk tale in the north of Thailand. The tragic story has universal. The poem is an artistic and harmonious arrangement of words.
Besides these four major works, mention should be made of Kamsuan Thawa Thotsamat and Niras Hariphunchai. Both are laments pver the parting from loved ones. The title of the tromer means twelve months. It is unique among poems of its king in that the poet appended a section referred to the rites and ceremonies that took platter is novel in that the poet made references to historical events. Furthermore, the revision of the Tripitaka text in 1477 resulted in a flourishing of religious literature.
It should be pointed out that the dating of some literary work as early or late Ayutthaya literature is not conclusive for lack of strong evidence.