Coming up ThursdayReadings:Th/Oct. 13: She Was a Queen, 232

“Angkor Wat: Hinduism, Politics and Prestige” by Tamsin Hong. Cross-Sections: The Bruce Hall Academic Journal, Vol. VI (2010), 83- 90.

Next week: Mid-term – Tuesday or Thursday?

Julia’s Rama digital drawing

“Theatre State”ASAN 310

October 11, 2011

She Was a QueenLevels of interpretation:

-- a 1930s novel by a British colonial officer-- based on 19th c. chronicles -- about 13th-c. Pagan

Mingala-Zeidi, built by Narthihapate

Sukothai-- 13-14th c. “Classical State”

-- broke from Khmer control, mid-13thc. ; fought both Khmers and Burmese for territory

-- first Tai state strongly identified with Theravada Buddhism and Thai identity

Ramkhamhaeng InscriptionSukothai, 13c.

-- King Ramkamhaeng: expanded territory

-- Introduced Thai script

-- perpetuated Theravada Buddhism

-- responsible for flowering of Thai culture

The Ramkhamhaeng Inscription Controversy-- discovered by the monk Mongkut in 1833.

What happened to Mongkut in 1855?

SuriyothaiLevels of interpretation:

-- a 2001 film financed by the current Queen of Thailand

-- based on 16th c.? story about a queen of Ayutthaya (Ayodhya) who sacrificed herself in a battle against the Burmese

Theatre State in Suriyothai-- death of the boy king-- oath of allegiance

Notice the Portuguese mercenaries in various scenes

How are woman depicted?

Why was “theatre” so important?