Study Status of the "Ramakien" at Present

Abstract

The Ramakien (Ramakian) is a Thai literature masterpiece that was influenced by an Indian epic called Ramayana. Originally, Thais learned about the Ramakien story from many sources. Based on the evidence of an engraving found at Prasart Hin Phimai depicting the god Ramayana, the Ramakien was recognized and well known for a long time before the Sukhothai era. There is some information mentioning the Rama Cave and the Sida Cave in a Ramkamhang King's stone inscription; the first dating from the Sukhothai era and the second from the Ayutthaya era. Moreover, while Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam, Rachaphilap Kamchan or Nirat Sida were found. 

In the early Rattanakosin era, the Ramakien was used as a form of entertainment and for the purposes of reading and performing as a national treasure and literature to educate values to Thai people. There are a variety of versions and expressions of the Ramakien in both the Royal court and local literature. Moreover, even though the Ramakien is part of ancient literature, there are many aspects worth studying and it remains in the interests of academics up to the present. 

The aim of this article is to study the status of the Ramakien in the expressions of the Royal court and of local literature, focusing on Master and Doctorate graduates' research from 1972 to 2007. Only the research conducted by Thai students and only 20 research works that show obvious research methodology were selected. Its expressions have been studied in many respects and can be categorized as follows: 

1. Study on literature 

2. Study on folklore

3. Study on performance

4. Study on humanities and political science