Art

In the first centuries AD many rulers of the South-East Asian countries chose in their art the Indian, rather than the Chinese religious-cultural example, although China was located closer than India. One of the vivid examples of Indian influence I such architectural masterpiece as the complex of temples in Angkor region. It was from India that Buddhism and Hinduism came to Indochina; religious practice created increasing demand fir works of art, which promoted its development. Mass production of cult sculpture, painting on paper, fabrics, walls as well as various types of ceramic objects and many other works of art were encouraged by religion and in the Middle Ages were subject to increased demand, to satisfy which huge assets were spent. In the beginning Indian artistic manner prevailed among masters of chisels and brushes, but with time works of art obtained local character and flavor, and religious plots began to mingle with secular ones. For many centuries in Buddhist monasteries there flourished the art of public readings which drew literature closer to the art of theater. The art of South-East Asia had common roots and based on the same traditions, but concrete ways of its development were different in different countries. Thus, in Vietnam carious genres of epic works and musical-theatrical performances are popular; in Thailand the theater of gestures and puppets is popular; the Burmese and Khmer ballet are world famous. One of the central characters in the art of the peoples of Indochina is the dragon or snake naga – a mythological creature which is believed to be the patron of the water element.

A dancer. Performance is accompanied  by playing xylophone and drum. Myanmar. D. Sheerson, A. Gubanov. 2000		Mask of Siamese ballet actor presenting prince Lakshmanа- hero of the epic Ramakien. Thailand. The Siamese. Late 19th c.		The Thai musical instruments. Thailand. Pugacheva E.
The shape of the pagoda resembles turned cup for the alms, once belonged to Buddha. Myanmar. Yangon. Shneerson D. Gubanov A.		In the 18th c. puppet theatre possessed special privileges: its characters could tell the King the things that lesser mortals did not dare to. Myanmar. Shneerson D. Gubanov A.		Before newspapers emerged the residents were informed about the events in the capital by the puppet theatres. Myanmar. Shneerson D. Gubanov A.