the prang of Wat Phra Rama
by Michelle Meenawong
Title
the prang of Wat Phra Rama
Artist
Michelle Meenawong
Medium
Photograph - Metal Print
Description
A prang is a tall tower-like spire, usually richly carved. They were a common shrine element of Hindu and Buddhist architecture in the Khmer Empire. They were later adapted by Buddhist builders in Thailand, especially during the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1767) and Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932). In Thailand it appears only with the most important Buddhist temples.
The term prang is a compound of the Sanskrit terms pra- ('forward, in front') and aṅga (limb of the body), with the contacting vowels united by sandhi.
Prang tower took form of a multi-tiered structure with receding size as it ascends. The receding size of almost identical roof structures of the stepped pyramidal tower, creates a perspective illusion as if the tower is taller than it actually is. The form of the tower is a reminiscent of Indic shikhara of Hindu temple, although slightly different in design. On each cardinal points, a prang usually has richly adorned tympanum and lintel above doorways or blind doors. The prang took plan of multi corners rectangular, which on top of each roof steps are adorned with antefixes, which mostly took theme of multi-headed Nāgas, Garuda or deities.
The first prangs in Thailand were built in Phimai and Khao Phnom Rung and Lopburi between the early 10th century and the late 12th century, when the Khmer kingdom was dominant.
After the Khmer Empire collapsed, the Thai building masters of the Sukhothai Kingdom adapted the Prang form. They extended and developed it. The building material was no more separate small sandstone blocks, instead the Thais built the Prang in brick or laterite covered with stucco. And the cella could be reached only by stairs. Later developments of the Prang suggested the cella only. The entrance door became a niche, in which was placed the Buddharupa (Buddha statue), which had originally taken the central position inside. For reasons of symmetry the niche was repeated on all four sides. On its pinnacle was a Trishul, the "weapon of Indra".
A "more modern" Prang is a slim construction, like an ear of corn, which lets its Khmer origin be only suspected.
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Uploaded
December 3rd, 2020
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