'Mekhala-Ramasura' Thai Classical Dance 🇹🇭

According to Ramakien (Thai version of Ramayana), Tale of the Rainy Season is about an angel guardian of the oceans called Mekhala (เมขลา) or Manimekhala (มณีเมขลา) travels to join the annual gathering of devas at the begining of the rainy season.

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A demon named Ramasura (รามสูร) is attracted by Mekhala's crystal ball. Mekhala refuses to give him her crystal ball and Ramasura starts to chase and throw his ax to Mekhala.

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Flashes from Mekhala's crystal ball is the origin of the lightning and the sounds of Ramasura's ax is the origin of the thunder.

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Khon masked dance and Thai classical dances have had a strong influence on neighboring Cambodia. During the period when Cambodia was under Siamese rule, Cambodian kings invited dancers from Siam to teach Cambodian performers in the royal court. As a result, Cambodian dances appear to be a copied version of Thai dances. 

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Credit: BIGGYPHOTO, Thai Culture to the World