TRIMURTI /SADASIVA? STATUE FROM BANGKOK’S NATIONAL MUSEUM

Abstract

Hinduism during the Ayutthaya Period can trace its roots all the way back to the Ancient Khmer Empire. The Ayutthaya system of beliefs, ceremonies and style of art (especially images of the Hindu Gods) are a mixture of Ancient Khmer influences and local progressions.

Specifically, the Ayutthaya art image known as Trimurti (a combination form of three supreme Hindu gods which I use as a case study, and are exhibited at Bangkok’s national museum) is a style of art which strongly reflects the influence of Khmer art. It should be noted, however, that the style and appearance of this image is not a complete facsimile of the original Ancient Khmer example, because its iconographical illustration is more akin to another form of Siva (Isvara), known as Sadasiva, which is also highly visible in Khmer art.