Kumara Khum Klon by Phra Thepmoli (Klin): A Study in Terms of History and Distinctive Characteristics

Abstract

This academic paper aims to study the literary work, Kumara Khum Klon, written by Phra Thepmoli (Klin) in terms of its history, type of text and distinctive literary characteristics.  The writer has examined the text in all its aspects, starting from the poet’s biography to details of the text.  The study has found that the period in which this literary work was composed can be based on two assumptions. The first assumption is that it could have been composed in the reign of King Buddha Lertlah Nabhalai, when it was popular to write stories based on the Mahajati and the Maha Vesandara Jataka.  The second assumption is that this piece of literary work might have been written at the end of the reign of King Buddha Lertlah Nabhalai to the beginning of King Nangklao Chaoyuhua’s reign. Documents found consist of manuscripts written in Thai script and Western script as well as typed manuscripts.  The typed manuscripts were published twice, with different titles but with the same contents.  The text was written in the Klon Pleng Yaow poetical form.  The poet was well versed in language, using poetical, pleasant-sounding words, coining new words for his composition and using the language to create comparisons that reflect the art of writing.  The writer has found four distinctive characteristics of Kumara Khum Klon; namely, the composition of this literary piece was influenced by the Kumara Section; the poet was able to select words to create stirring emotions; the work presents the complexity and diversity of human emotions and is a continuation of stories in Buddhism in the context of how literary works of the Ratanakosin Period were created.