Abstract
By launching in 1938 a series of adaptations of folktales in comics form, Thai cartoonist Prayoon Chanyawongse established the Cartoon Likay genre which places the reader as a member of an audience attending a Likay performance. The local theatrical form frames his graphic narratives where scenes of a play performed on a stage continuously alternate with sequences taking place in the vast realms of epics set in the Ayutthaya period. By introducing key Likay conventions such as recurring humorous interruptions and asides, Chanyawongse could effectively address contemporary social issues and political topics within traditional folktales. This paper explores several Cartoon Likay narratives in the context of the Likay theatrical form and the local folktale repertoire to discuss the nature and development of Chanyawongse’s signature comics genre.
Highlights
Prayoon Chanyawongse, the King of Thai CartoonEven though Prayoon Chanyawongse [1915–1992] is considered in his homeland as the “King of Thai Cartoon” and is “perhaps the most celebrated cartoonist in the early period of Thai cartooning” (Karuchit 2014: 79), the unique Cartoon Likay genre he established remains without any international scrutiny.1 English language sources of Verstappen: Prayoon Chanyawongse’s Cartoon Likay information on Prayoon Chanyawongse remain scarce: a brief presentation in two academic papers on Thai cartooning by John A
This paper explores several Cartoon Likay narratives in the context of the Likay theatrical form and the local folktale repertoire to discuss the nature and development of Chanyawongse’s signature comics genre
Before we explore more closely the Cartoon Likay comics genre, a brief overview of Prayoon Chanyawongse’s editorial cartooning will provide context on the issue of political censorship which affected all aspects of the graphic production of the socially-engaged Thai cartoonist
Summary
Prayoon Chanyawongse, the King of Thai CartoonEven though Prayoon Chanyawongse [1915–1992] is considered in his homeland as the “King of Thai Cartoon” and is “perhaps the most celebrated cartoonist in the early period of Thai cartooning” (Karuchit 2014: 79), the unique Cartoon Likay genre he established remains without any international scrutiny.1 English language sources of Verstappen: Prayoon Chanyawongse’s Cartoon Likay information on Prayoon Chanyawongse remain scarce: a brief presentation in two academic papers on Thai cartooning by John A. By launching in 1938 a series of adaptations of folktales in comics form, Thai cartoonist Prayoon Chanyawongse established the Cartoon Likay genre which places the reader as a member of an audience attending a Likay performance.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
