Tales of perseverance and imagination

KNOWN for his talents in the sciences as well as the arts, His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej was also a gifted story-teller, penning such books as “Phra Mahachanok” (“The Story of Mahajanaka”), first published in 1996, and “The Story of Tongdaeng”, a biography of his favourite pet dog Khun Tongdaeng, which was released in 2002. While very different in subject matter, both books underline the values of perseverance, respect and selflessness and inspired the country’s filmmakers to bring them to the big screen as animations to further spread their messages.
“The Story of Mahajanaka” started life as an illustrated book then developed into a comic. The animation “The Story of Mahajanaka”, several years in the making, was released in late 2014 in honour of His Majesty’s birthday
Some 250 artists from 15 Thai animation companies spent the best part of four years working on the animation. The project, which was presented for approval to the King at its inception, was under the supervision of the Bureau of the Royal Household, the Software Industry Promotion Agency and the Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association.
Distorn Vajarodayam, Grand Chamberlain of the Royal Household Bureau at that time, told The Nation that the King personally oversaw the editing process of the book, as well as its transition from illustrated tome to comic.
“The King was keen for the story to be turned into a serialised comic strip, something along the lines of [long-running Thai comic magazine] ‘Khai Hua Ror’ so that it would reach out to youngsters,” he said.
The comic book, which was illustrated by political cartoonist Chai Rachawat, was used as the reference to develop the storytelling and character design of the new animation.
Director Nonzee Nimibutr, who was involved with the project from the beginning, noted the surfeit of manpower had both hindered and helped the process of getting the book from page to screen.
“It was not easy to manage all the work between so many animators but once everyone knew the project was for the King, they were all enthusiastic about cooperating,” he said.
His Majesty brought a modern twist to his “Mahajanaka”, which is based on the story from the Tripitaka. It recounts the last incarnation of the Buddha as King Mahajanaka, who ruled the kingdom of Mithila, before being born again as Siddhartha. As King Mahajanaka, he valiantly faces challenges and trouble of every kind – from sinking ships to bloody succession feuds – and survives them all through his remarkable perseverance. 
The animation, which was shot in high-definition, is divided into three acts. The first chronicles the life of Mahajanaka’s father Prince Aritha Chanok and his younger brother Prince Pola Chanok who enter into conflict when a high-ranking minister drives a wedge between them. Pola Chanok escapes but later returns to fight against Aritha, who is killed in the battle. Aritha’s pregnant wife manages to escape to the border and it is there that Phra Mahachanok is born.
In the second act, the prince is already grown up and is travelling by boat to Suvarnabhumi when a massive storm blows up and wrecks his ship. He survives by swimming for seven days and seven nights and finally gets help from the angel Manee Mekhala, who takes him to Mithila.
The third act sees him married to King Pola Chanok’s daughter and becoming the king.
While translated from the Tripitaka and not always easy to understand, the animation is nonetheless perfect for children. Especially the key scene that shows Prince Mahajanaka trying to swimming to safety after the shipwreck surrounded by crabs, fish and other marine animals. 
Just as with the other versions, Disatorn reported every step to the King. The Monarch examined the proofs carefully, offered his comments and also approved the casting of the voice actors. 
Attaporn Theemakorn voiced Phra Mahajanaka, Chatchai Plengpanich was Prince Aritha Chanok, Nonzee took on Prince Pola Chanok while Manassanan Panlertwongsakul did the voice for Manee Mekhala. 
In the meantime, the story of His Majesty the King’s beloved pet dog Khun Tongdaeng had inspired Vinij Lertratanachai to bring together a trio of animated stories based on “The Story of Tongdaeng”.
Two years in the making, the project was released on December 3 last year, again to mark the Monarch’s birthday, in the form of an animated anthology called “Khun Tongdaeng: The Inspirations”.
The film encapsulated three animated tales, each created by a different studio and telling its own tale.
“Mah Wad” (“Mid-Road”) by Imagimax Studios, depicted the life of Jorn, a stray dog adopted by an elderly monk. Despite the canine’s initial difficulties in taming his fellow temple dogs, he eventually gets them together and charges them with protecting the temple and the monk from thieves.
From The Monk Studios came “Tong Lor” about the relationship between a grandmother, a blind girl and her pooch in an upcountry village and shows how the loyal, intelligent and grateful canine is inspired by Khun Tongdaeng to behave with calm and dignity.
“Little Copper”, meanwhile, saw Workpoint Studios continuing the animation style it debuted with “Yak”, with all the characters taking the form of malfunctioning robots. It’s about a boy who gives new life to a tin-can pup named Copper.
Interwoven with all three films are live-action segments involving a girl who begs her uncle (Choosak “Nong Cha Cha Cha” Iamsook) to buy her a pedigree dog. But even though he is wealthy, the uncle follows the King’s example by adopting a stray for her. That dog is Hei and he’s played by the talented mixed-breed Richard, who cut his acting chops on “Ma Mha See Kha Krub” then went on to star in “Sai Lab Jab Baan Lek” (“The Bedside Detective”) and several TV commercials. 
The dog Hei tries hard to make his young mistress accept him by showing his talents and manners, while the uncle tells her three doggy stories that reflect the real Khun Tongdaeng’s character.
In line with protocol, Vinij first discussed his ideas with Distorn and finally decided to use the King’s book as an inspiration.
Vinij worked with his long-time collaborator Dr Head, the man behind the marketing strategy for blockbuster movies “2499 Antaphan Krong Muang” (“Dang Bireley’s and Young Gangsters”) and “Ong-Bak”. Dr Head oversaw the whole concept and assumed responsibility for casting the real actors.
For their part, the studios were asked to read the book and then create a suitable story.
This they did and after approving the stories, Vinij gave all three studios |complete freedom, staying in the background and only working to create harmony in concepts, colour and mood when the films were joined to become the |105-minute animation.
Khun Tongdaeng, a stray that the King adopted in 1998, was 17 years old when she died on December 27, 2015 at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin.
“The Story of Mahajanaka” animation is being aired again on several TV channels in remembrance of His Majesty.