Khon, is a masked-dance dramatization of the Ramakien, a moral tale concerning the struggles of Prince Rama and Hanuman's monkey army against the forces of evil, led by Tossakan the King of Longka.
The epic tale of the Ramakian shapes classical Thai arts more than any other story. The Ramakian is a Thai version of the Indian Ramayana epic.
The long, thrilling tale focuses on the trials and tribulations of Ayutthaya's Prince Rama, the abduction of his wife, Sita, and the eventual defeat of Langka by Hanuman (monkey god) and his army of
monkey warriors.
More than ten styles of mask identify the characters of the dancers as kings, demons or monkeys. Prince Rama wears green, for example, Lord Langka wears gold and the monkey god,
Hanuman, wears white.
- Performed by Bangkok Dramatic Arts College -