A number of pha phra ves or painted Vessantara Jataka scrolls will be exhibited for one day only at Siam Society, Asok Road, on Saturday from 1.30pm to 4pm.
Held in collaboration with the Thai Textile Society, this unique event is a rare chance to witness the long painted banners featuring the story of Vessantara Jataka, from the private collection of ML Pawinee (Sukhasvasti) Santisiri, an award-winning designer with a passion for antique textiles.
She has been collecting textiles since 1985 and has so far acquired more than 1,000 pieces from many countries including Laos and Cambodia. More than 20 of them are pha phra ves scrolls as old as 80 years.
Ranging from 30m to 50m in length, the banners portray 13 well-known episodes of Vessantara Jataka, which tells the story of Gautama Buddha's final incarnation as Prince Vessantara or Phra Ves, who gave away everything he owned, including his wife and children, in an expression of the virtue of generosity.
Pha phra ves scrolls portray the story of Vessantara Jataka. Siam Society
Pha phra ves scrolls are usually shown in temples during the Buddhist festival known as Thet Maha Chat, literally meaning "recitation of the great life" (of Prince Vessantara) in central Thailand. The festival is also known as Boon Phawet (or Boon Phra Ves), Boon Duen Sii and Thet Phawet in the northeast.
On the first day of the festival, the family's reunification is re-enacted and a long scroll with the painted story is paraded around. The next day, people listen to the monks' sermons retelling the entire story of the Vessantara Jataka.
The exhibition will open with a talk by ML Pawinee who will also give a video presentation and unfurl her collection of pha phra ves scrolls.
The fee is 400 baht (200 baht for members and 100 baht for students). Seats are limited.
For bookings, email chuleeporn@thesiamsociety.org or call 02-661-6470--3 ext 201.
