QUOTE(Meruboy @ Jun 13 2008, 02:59 PM) [snapback]3752868[/snapback]
Sonofgunungjerai,
So far, you are the only person who can make educated claims wrt wayang kulit Malay version
If I may ask, who is Jayavarman II for the Khmers? Was he a runnaway Javanese prince, or a Khmer prince educated in Java? I believe that there was a very strong connection between Khmers & Javanese in the past that both cultures collide & inter mingled. So, no one can actually claim that wayang kulit is solely either Malay (Khmers & Chams' descendants) or Javanese.
Jayawarman II was an 8th century king in Cambodia, means in the beginning of Angkor Dynasty period or the End of Chenlar kingdom in the north of Cambodia. Historians commonly date his reign as running from 802 A.D. to 835-850 A.D. He is a Hindu and not a Buddhist. It was stated in an inscription that Jayavarman II had a Brahmana priest to conduct his religious right and following Brahmanism cult which is Dewaraja. He is the first king of Angkor dynasty.
Yes, he was said being a captive in Java court. I can't decipher which dynasty he was held as a captive but I think it is Syailendra dynasty (750 - 850). Funan kingdom faced its downfall when Syailendra Kingdom established by Sriwijayan who attacked Tarumanegara kingdom of West Java Land around 6th century. He escaped from Javanese captivity and travelling back to his country.
Jayawarman II was a prince of Chenlar kingdom. There is a story about Chenlar king had offended the reigning Syailendra King. The Water Chenlar King had wished to see the head of His Majesty Sailendra King's head on the platter before him. To exact the revenge on the unpardonable insult of Water Chenlar King, the Sailendra King sent in his naval troops to invade the Water Chenla. The Water Chenlar king was captured and beheaded. The Sailendra Court also took prince Jayavarman II as its hostage. Water Chenlar was under the control of Java for 10 long years, until Jayavarman II shook it off. After Water Chenlar became independent from the Javanese, Jayavarman II unifed Water Chenla with Land Chenla and blessed it with a new name of Kambuja or Kampuchea in the present.
It is possible that everyone in SEA influenced each other in cultural and languages in the ancient time, thus creating their own style of arts. This things happened long ago where there is no modern political border like today.
