How a 1767 military conquest reshaped Burmese performing arts
Discover how the forced migration of Thai theatrical troupes following the Konba ung dynasty's victory in 1767 introduced the Ramayana to the Burmese court, forever altering the nation's cultural landscape.
In 1767, King Hsinbyushin of the Konbaung dynasty invaded the kingdom of Ayutthaya. Following this victory, many people from the Thai kingdom were moved into the Burmese heartland, including specialist Thai theatrical troupes. These performers captivated the Burmese court with their renditions of the Ramayana epic.
While the Ramayana originated in India and was known in Myanmar prior to 1767, the arrival of these troupes drove its popularity to new heights. Curator Alexandra Green examines this cultural legacy through a 'shwe chi doe' or 'kalaga'—a traditional Burmese textile hanging that depicts scenes from the epic, illustrating the enduring influence of Thai theatre on Myanmar's art forms.
Source: The Ramayana in Myanmar | A Burmese Tapestry (Kalaga/shwe chi doe) | Curator's Corner S8 Ep10
