| ollowing day more callers arrive, many bringing | | | | to do so. The first known Thai literary work, the |
| small gifts of money to help defray funeral | | | | Tribhumikatha (The Three Worlds - Hea-ven, |
| expenses. A family member receives such | | | | Earth and Hell) was a Buddhist cos-mology written |
| offerings and keeps a list of contributions so that | | | | by King Lu Thai of Sukho-thai. The kingly tradition |
| reciprocal offerings may be made during future | | | | of authorship was continued well into the Bangkok |
| funerals. | | | | period by two Chakri monarchs, Rama II |
| The body is removed to the temple on the day | | | | (1809-1824) and Rama VI (Vajiravudh, |
| of the funeral. Within a few days of death an | | | | 1910-1925), both distinguished poets and stalwart |
| orchestra plays almost continuously from dawn. | | | | patrons of Thai arts. |
| Every effort is made to dispel sorrow, grief and | | | | Much court-inspired art later devolved into simpler |
| loneliness by music and fellowship. | | | | forms - for example, classical drama into comic |
| After the monks have been ceremoniously fed, | | | | folk operas - to become part of the popular |
| mourners circle the funeral pyre. Following further | | | | culture. Today, the Thai cultural mosaic retains its |
| religious rites, the pyre is communally set alight, | | | | original characterbut is more varied, particularly in |
| first by monks, then by family, finally by friends. | | | | regional folk dance and music where differences |
| The corpse is thus consumed by flames amidst a | | | | are very apparent.culture. |
| common hope that the deceased, object of such | | | | Most classical Thai art originated in or under the |
| merit-making and affection, will be reborn into a | | | | patronage of royal courts. It is an amalgam of the |
| higher existence, to renew another individual life | | | | finest cultural traditions of Asia blended into a |
| cycle towards the ultimate Buddhist goal of | | | | whole and stamped by artistic genius into unique |
| personal perfection. | | | | forms instantly recognizable as Thai. Classical |
| TWO CULTURES | | | | culture also encompasses Buddhist art as |
| When speaking of Thai culture, one must | | | | represented in temple architecture, decorative |
| distinguish between its two principal but | | | | murals and Buddha images. Popular culture was |
| complementary and mutually-reinforc-ing aspects : | | | | village-centred and dealt with planting and |
| classical court culture which includes Buddhist art | | | | harvesting cycles and the basic needs of daily life. |
| and popular or village Court culture Painters, | | | | Its arts included the creation of utensils, clothing |
| writers, dancers, sculptors, architects, musicians | | | | and basketry items. |
| and skilled craftsmen were considered legitimate | | | | Court culture reflected the formal, exquisitely |
| spoils of war and were normally transferred from | | | | complex structure and etiquette of Thai royal |
| enemy palaces to conquerors’ courts. | | | | palaces with their heavy Indian influence. Popular |
| In Ayutthaya, actors and dancers were | | | | culture, its predecessor, was concerned with |
| maintained purely for kingly and aristocratic | | | | age-old village realities and the simple rites |
| pleasure. Thai artists and architects were | | | | associated with birth, death and the cultivation of |
| responsible for building and decorating palaces, | | | | crops. Whereas classical poetry, literature, drama, |
| temples and shrines within conventionally | | | | painting, sculpture and architecture expressed |
| acceptable forms and styles. Unlike their Western | | | | religious and intellectual impulses and entertainment |
| counterparts, they were not expected to display | | | | was considered to be of secondary value, village |
| revolutionary originality or radical inventiveness. | | | | culture, despite its religious and moral overtones, |
| Early literature was primarily concerned with | | | | was meant, above all else, for entertainment. |
| religion and until 1850 was in verse form. Indian | | | | But to speak of both in the past tense is only to |
| poetic styles provided the patterns for Thai verse | | | | describe their origins and development ; both are |
| which was written exclusively by the aristocracy | | | | very much alive today. |
| or royalty - theonly leisured, educated classes able | | | | |