Late Ayutthaya Literrature (1620 - 1767)

The Late Ayutthaya Era began in 1620, the reign of King Songtham, and ended in 1767 when Ayutthaya fell to Burma the second time. Event between 1529 and 1620, a period of 91 years, were not conductive to the creation of literature. Thailand was in a state of war and under the influence of Burma from 1569 to 1592. The country returned to normalcy in the regn of King Song Dham. Literature was revived in 1620 and made rapid progress until 1767. During the 147 year period the Thais of Sri Ayutthaya produced many works of great literary value, some of these are Samudraghosa, a jataka tale in vers, and Anirut, a narrative poem based on Hindu mythology. The period roduced a variety of literary forms on a varity of subjects. New styles of poetry were created, based on traditional Indian verse. There was experimentation with rhyme and meter resulting in "kap ho khlong," a very intricate pattern of verse with one style of poetry embedded in another, "kolabot," word play in verse, "phleng yao," love letter in verse, and "niras," lament in verse. This experimentation stimulated interest in poetic form in succeeding generations of poets.

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.

A BRIEF SURVEY OF THAI LITERATURE Ayutthaya Period

THAI literature has had A long history. There existed even before the establishment OF the Sukhothai kingdom oral and written works. The works that have existed in the written from and are considered by THAI literary scholars to be purely THAI are divided into the pholloving five periods:

1. Sukhothai literature ( 1238-1377 )

2. Early Ayutthaya literature ( 1350-1529 )

3. Late Ayutthaya literature ( 1620-1767 )

4. Thon Buri literature ( 1768-1781 )

5. Rattanakosin literature ( 1782-present )

Here,however,mention will be made of those works of the Ayutthaya Period.