manohra drama

7/27/2019 Manohra Drama

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MANOHRA

(A Lakon Jatri Play; an except)

ACT FIVE

SCENE 1

The scene is the foot of Mount Krailas. As the lights come up, SUTON is sleeping on

a bench down right. The strips of cloth that earlier served as the lake are now lying

diagonally across the stage, representing a stream to which the MAIDS come for the

water. Seven MAIDS enter in groups of two and three, speaking as they appear.

They make sinuous circle about the stage, indicating a narrow footpath.

FIRST MAID: Today is the last day for the ceremonies, isnt it, girls?

SECOND MAID: Yes, isnt it exciting?

THIRD MAID: Oh, Im so happy for her.

FIRST MAID: Its been such a long time! Imagine living within eyesight of the

royal palace for seven years, even months, and seven days! I

wouldnt be able to stand it for weeks.

The first three MAIDS are now kneeling by streams edge.

SECOND MAID: Thats because you have somebody waiting at home.

THIRD MAID: But do you notice the PRINCESS sometimes as she gets a

faraway look in her eyes? Every time that happens, she cries.

FOURTH MAID: (kneeling by the stream) Yes, one time I played some music of

the earth people, and she cried and cried for a long time.

FIFTH MAID: Ssssh! Dont you know the Princess married one of the mortals?

A Prince or so I hear.

SEVENTH MAID: (kneeling) This cleansing ceremony is to rid her of those mortals.

FIRST MAID: We all know thats silly.

SIXTH MAID: Come, girls, were nesting time. The Princessll be waiting. She

has waited so long already. Lets hurry.

They begin filling their jars.


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SEVENTH MAID: You know, I think the Princess would like to return to the earth

place. I think her Highness loved the Prince very much.

THIRD MAID: Forbid the thought. Returning to that place again! You must be

out of your mind.

SEVENTH MAID: Well, it was just a thought. Her Highness would be very happy if

he were here. Besides, seeing the King and Queen for the first

time since that awful day should make her very happy.

FIRST MAID: No mortal can ever come to Krailas. Its impossible.

SECOND MAID: How can a mortal cross the impenetrable forest? They dont

have wings.

THIRD MAID: Why dont you go and help him?

ALL MAIDS: We know, we wish the same thing, too.

FIRST MAID: Lets go. We mustnt keep everybody waiting for us.

All but the last maid leave and quickly; she falls and spills the contents of her jar.

SEVENTH MAID: Oh well, after drawing water for seven years, seven months, and

seven days, I can do it once more. (She goes back to the stream

after looking to the see if any of the other MAIDS are waiting for

her.) After today the princess Manohra will be finished with her

purification ceremony. I hope her highness finds happiness.

SUTON: (has heard the last speech and overjoyed) The cleansing

ceremony of Manohra. This must be Krailas! Thank the gods! I

must let Manohra know I am here. How? Can I do it? (He stops

the MAID center stage.) Little girl, could you stop a minute?

SEVENTH MAID: (very much afraid) What do you want?

SUTON: Dont worry, I wont harm you. Why are you carrying that water?


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SEVENTH MAID: Dont you know? Its for the purification of Princess Manohra who

has returned from the mortal world.

SUTON: Manohra! At last!

SEVENTH MAID: Today is the last day of her purification ceremony.

SUTON: May I help you carry this jug? It looks rather heavy.

SEVENTH MAID: Thank you very much, kind sir. Are you from some kingdom on

Krailas?

SUTON: Not Exactly!

SEVENTH MAID: (aside) He looks like one of the mortals. I wonder if (to

SUTON.) Do you know of a city called Pancala?

SUTON: Perhaps.

SEVENTH MAID: (testing him) I have heard Prince Suton of Palanca is a very

handsome man, but that he is very cruel.

SUTON: Oh, why so?

SEVENTH MAID: He left Princess Manohra to die because he wanted to marry

somebody else. I wouldnt want to be married to someone like

that, would you?

SUTON: The Prince did not want to leave the Princess to die, my little

friend. He went to war the save people. Certainly, it was not his

intention to kill the Princess and marry another because he loves

her very much.

SEVENTH MAID: (gently scolding) Well, if he really loved the princess, he would

have followed her Highness, because the Princess . . . loves him

very much, too.

SUTON: (knowing look at her): Maybe he has followed her.

SEVENTH MAID: Oh, I must hurry; the Princess will be waiting anxiously for me to

the ceremony can begin. Thank you for your help. (She begins to

exit.)


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SUTON: If it is the Gods will that we are reunited, let this ring be the

symbol of our everlasting love. May the gods have mercy on

both of us. (Ecstatic, be dances his way along to the path to

MANOHRA.) Manohra, Im here. Oh, Manohra, if I could only

catch a glimpse of your face! It has been a long time. But not too

long for the end is almost in sight.

Suton exits up left.

SCENE 2

The setting is the throne room in the Palace of Suvannakorn on Mount Krailas. The

throne is up center and is backed by silk banners of gold and silver. Six KINNAREE,

the sisters of Manohra, sit on a long bench up right. The MAIDS sit in the straight line

on the floor up left. KING TUMARAJA rises from his hrone to address his QUEEN

Chankinnaree.

KING: My dear, a long time has passed since our daughter returned

from the mortal world. Hasnt the purification ceremony been

completed yet? I seem to recall it should be almost finished.

QUEEN: Im surprised, Tumaraja, that you cant remember the day that

our daughter will finally return home to us.

SECOND PRINCESS: I think it is today. Dont you think so?

THIRD PRINCESS: None of you can remember, but I can?

SECOND PRINCESS: Tell us!

HIRD PRINCESS: Well, it was seven years, seven months, seven days ago. Today,

our sister returned. Today is the day when she can come into our city.

The following play by as the PRINCESS goes quickly, accompanied by much

giggling.

SECOND PRINCESS: Thats what I said, silly.

THIRD PRINCESS: You did not.

SECOND PRINCESS: I did too.


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FOURTH PRINCESS: She did not.

QUEEN: (mock serious)No quarrels, girls, or Ill take your wings again.

(Manohra comes in down left with a MAID. The QUEEN crosses

to comfort her, and the KING follows.) Oh, look, theres Manohra

now. How beautiful she looks.

KING: Come here, my little kinnaree. There. There, dont cry. There, dry

your eyes, my sweet. Father is here.

QUEEN: I am here, too, darling. Manohra, are you alright?

KING: (continuing formality of the ritual): Manohra, tell me where and

what happened after the forester caught you with the naga.

QUEEN: Please tell us, Manohra.

The three of them returned to the throne and sit.

MANOHRA: (shudders) When the naga caught me, I almost died fright

especially when I saw all my sisters flying away. I was so afraid.

KING: And then you married a mortal?

QUEEN: A prince, Tumaraja. Was he handsome?

SECOND PRINCESS: Tell us; we are dying to know!

FIRST PRINCESS: It sounds exciting. Maybe Ill be captured, too!

ALL: Ssssh!

MANOHRA: (harboring a secret): Well, Prince Suton is his name.

QUEEN: Prince Suton! What a nice name.

KING: (angry)What a wonderful husband this Suton made! If he loved

you as you say, Manohra, why did you have to escape? He

probably told you to do so!

QUEEN: Manohra, dear, why did you have to fly away?

ALL: Yes, tell us!


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MANOHRA: You see, it was really Purohit who wanted to kill me. He is a very

evil person.

SECOND PRINCESS: He sounds nasty. I wouldnt want to meet him.

QUEEN: Your poor thing. Tumaraja, cant we do something to that evil

man?

KING: (playing the devils advocate): Oh! Blaming everything on this

Purohit. Manohra, you are just stupid as you always were. Dont

you know it was your Prince whatever-his-name who plotted to

get rid of you? Ha! That Prince is like the rest mankind, corrupt

and insincere. Stop thinking so well of those animals.

MANOHRA: But, father, Suton is not like the rest of them. No, one says an

unkind word about him, except Purohit. Everyone loves him.

KING: Stop praising your husbands worth. I dont want to hear any

more. If your Prince is as good as you have said, he should be

on his way to Krailas.

QUEEN: Tumaraja, cant you see shes crying? Please, dear, stop making

her unhappy.

This is a day for great joy. Her return should be on his way to Krailas.

KING: Well, alright. But if this Prince is all you think him to be will come

to Krailas to fetch you. Why, I would even perform another

wedding ceremony for you.

MANOHRA: (bursting with joy) Father, can you please repeat what you just

said?

KING: If he really loves you, if he is brave enough, he should be able to

follow you to our city.

MANOHRA: And what if he follows me, your Majesty?

ALL PRINCESSES: We doubt it.

FIRST PRINCESS: No man has ever come up to Krailas.


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SECOND PRINCESS: How can he get through all those obstacles? Isnt that right,

sisters?

They nod in unison

KING: (tossing it off) If he does come, then I shall give you the greatest

wedding Krailas has ever witnessed.

MANOHRA: (exuberant) On your word of honor, Father dear?

KING: On my word!

QUEEN: Ill see that he keeps his word, Manohra.

MANOHRA: (proudly) Prince Suton has preserved and followed me up

Suvannakorn.

At this moment he is waiting outside the palace.

KING: Is that so? I dont believe it.

MANOHRA: If it is not true, Father, I will offer my life in atonement.

KING: (disbelieving) Well, send for him.

MANOHRA: Go out to the pavilion and ask the Prince to come here. And

hurry!

MAID runs out down left.

KING: This is tomfoolery. No man can come to Krailas! It is possible,

(Suton srides in down left, led by MAID. The KING is

flabbergasted.) Are you the prince called Suton?

SUTON: Sir, I am. (SUTON crossed to the throne, kneels, and bows

deeply, his hands in the wait position.) It is great honor to be

able to pay my humble respects to your majesties.

QUEEN: Isnt that sweet? Hes so well-bred, and handsome, too.

MANOHRAs sisters giggle with approval and embarrassment.

KING: Dear! No such open approval yet! They might say you are over-

anxious to have a son-in-law! (Testing him.) Prince Suton, for


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what purpose did you come to Krailas? It must be something

very important for you have traveled such a long way.

SUTON: (calmly) Your Majesty must already know from Princess

Manohra that after her capture she became my wife. When

Manohra left Palanca, I could not endure the loss. Because of

my love for her, I endured the hardships of Himmaphan Forest to

find her.

KING: If you really loved my daughter, Prince Suton, why did she have

to flee for her life?

SUTON: I was tricked into leaving the city to fight war. When I returned,

Manohra had already escaped the ceremonial fire. I set out

immediately for Krailas, overcoming all obstacles for seven

years, seven months, and seven days to arrive this very

morning.

KING: Here are my daughters. Fing the Princess Manohra and I will

give her hand willingly to you. Since you are her husband, you

should be able to recognize her, though seven years have

passed. To fully prove your claim, you must pass this last test.

SUTON: I shall try your majesty.

KING: Do you think you can identify your wife?

SUTON: It will be difficult, Your Majesty, but I shall try the best of my

memory and love. (SUTON walks on his knees past the throne,

in accordance with Thai custom. SUTON stands in front of the

KINNAREE.)

KING: Daughter, stand up and let the Prince try to find Manohra. (The

seven KINNAREE form a circle around SUTON. He dances with

each one briefly. Finally, he dances with MANOHRA, recognizing

her easily. They dance perfectly together. The KING is


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delighted.) Let there be joy unbounded! Kinnaree, let us

celebrate the reunion of Princess Manohra and Prince Suton.

Gradually, others join the exuberant couple in their dance of

exultation. Even PUROHIT joins in, as the entire company is now

on stage. The rippling music of the piphat guides them as they

dance their homage to the joy of life. The women kneel and the

men dance their happiness. All strikes a pose as the certain

closes slowly.

(Translated by: Ubol Bhukkanasut)

Source:

www.classjump.com/k/kjenglish/documents/MANOHRA.doc

manohra drama

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