Thai Lakhon Nai Dance-Drama
Lakhon Nai was originally only performed in royal courts and exclusively by women performers.
Where Khon, the masked Dance-Drama, depicted tales solely from the Ramakien (a Thai version of the Indian epic, The Ramayana.)
Lakhon Nai had four epics in its repertoire:
The Ramakien (whose influence can not be overstated enough.)
Inao (which I've already talked about at length)
Dalang (an alternative version of Inao)
Unarut (tales of the Indian God Krishna's nephew)
The Thai Dance-Drama deals with the romance between Unarut and Osha or Aniruddha and Usha, as they are known in the Indian myth.
Unarut is usually shown wearing a yellow costume.
It's frustratingly hard to find much information in English about this drama but the Indian myth goes like this:
Usha, daughter of King Banasura, dreamt one night of a beautiful man. She was instantly smitten and they made love in her dream.
Heartsick when she woke, she told her friend Chitralekha all about it. She wanted to find this man but she didn't know his name.
Chitralekha (who is the best kind of friend to have,) was a talented artist and she drew pictures based on Usha's descriptions until she created one that was an exact match for Usha's dream.
Not only that, but her friend recognised the man as Krishna's grandson and used her yogic powers to transport him, bed and all(!) to Usha's room.
Thankfully, for them, Aniruddha woke up surprised but receptive to the attentions of a beautiful princess and Usha kept him hidden in her room for longer than you would think a princess would be able to manage.
But eventually, Banasura would grow suspicious, (probably because his daughter never left her bedroom anymore,) and he discovered them and imprisoned Aniruddha.
But Aniruddha had an army looking for him and it all culminates in a huge war, where Shiva appears to protect Banasura and Krishna turns up to fight against him.
Eventually, it is Krishna who needs to be appeased, with Shiva begging for him to be calm. (did anyone else see that coming because I did not!)
Banasura is duly humbled (but gets to keep his life,) and Aniruddha and Usha reunite and promptly marry.
