Asst. Prof. Sammiti Sukbunjhong, Ph.D.
Abstract :
The project presenter believes that the creation of contemporary performing arts in the form of ‘MVT’ (Musical Virtual Theatre), a musical drama integrating virtual reality technology, on the topic: “Manawika…The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds”
This contemporary project can contribute to raising awareness of the dangers of wrong minds, or misguided beliefs. The creation of this drama serves as a strategic strategy, guiding viewers to use their intellect and reasoned judgment in their future lives, which will impact society and the nation.
Objectives :
- To create a contemporary performing art form, MVT (Musical Virtual Theatre), or a musical drama integrating virtual reality technology, titled “Manawika…The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds.” This musical drama reflects social phenomena.
- To develop performing arts to keep pace with audience perceptions in the digital age and to develop work creation through the integration of modern technology with Thai wisdom.
- To raise awareness among target audiences and society, encouraging them to be aware of the dangers of misconceptions and to use their wisdom and knowledge to keep pace with changes in today’s society.
Conceptual Framework :
Creating a contemporary performance art form, ‘MVT’ (Musical Virtual Theatre), or a musical drama integrating virtual reality technology, on the topic: “Manawika… The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds”
The story of Manawika… The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds, inspired by the current social climate, where technology plays a crucial role in every subdivision of human society, is a highly influential and impactful tool, particularly in the dissemination of beliefs. This tool has led to widespread damage, such as being deceived into believing in bizarre and unverifiable cults, leading to disbelief and donations to groups that create illusions.
Due to the misconceptions that are prevalent in today’s society, the project proposer conducted research on beliefs and came across a sutra in the Tipitaka, titled the Mahanibat Jataka and the Khuddaka Nikaya (Commentary). This story tells of Amittada, the wife of Chuchok, who sent Chuchok to request the children of Prince Vessantara and Lady Matree to be his servants in his household. Ultimately, King Sonchai, the father of Prince Vessantara, rescued his grandson in exchange for Kanha, Chali, and jewels and gold. Chuchok ate the food until his stomach burst. Driven by delusion, Amittada blamed Prince Vessantara for Chuchok’s death.
After leaving that realm, Amittada was reborn as Chincamanavika, one of the most important demons who had stalked the Buddha for a grudge across lifetimes. She deceived others into believing she was pregnant with the Buddha.
The story of Prince Manavika demonstrates that wrong thoughts, or unwholesome thoughts, comprised of anger, delusion, and greed, can arise in the human mind at any time. Even in today’s society, it is no different from the time of the Buddha, where people blindly believe and have faith without discerning, leading to suffering and damage to themselves, those around them, society, and the nation.
The project presenter believes that the creation of contemporary performing arts in the form of ‘MVT’ (Musical Virtual Theatre), a musical drama integrating virtual reality technology, on the topic: “Manawika…The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds”
This contemporary project can contribute to raising awareness of the dangers of wrong minds, or misguided beliefs. The creation of this drama serves as a strategic strategy, guiding viewers to use their intellect and reasoned judgment in their future lives, which will impact society and the nation.
Process / Methodology :
The implementation of the theme “Manawika…The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds” is divided into three phases:
- Preparation Phase
– Planning meetings with artists and experts from all departments
– Planning meetings for management and selection of various teams
– Establishing operational frameworks and defining responsibilities for each department
– Meeting with networks of performing arts institutions to recruit students to work with the artist team and experts
– Production and script writing
– Casting
– Selecting and preparing the performance venue
– Preparing public relations
– Contacting sponsors
- Creation and Operation Phase
– Knowledge transfer and exchange between artists and experts
Selected students will be assigned to the work:
– Rehearsal from the beginning until the actual performance.
- Publicizing the creative work:
– Publicizing the work to the target audience through the website, media, performing arts associations, and social media networks throughout Thailand.
– Three live performances.
– Dissemination of the work to educational institutions.
– Online distribution of the work.
- Summary, evaluation, and assessment phase, and presentation of the work summary.
– Compiling the work summary and knowledge in a report.
– Presenting the work summary to the Contemporary Art Promotion Committee.
Techniques and Materials :
The project presenter believes that the creation of contemporary performing arts in the form of ‘MVT’ (Musical Virtual Theatre), a musical drama integrating virtual reality technology, on the topic: “Manawika…The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds”
Result / Conclusion :
- A contemporary performing arts activity was initiated: a musical drama integrating virtual reality technology, “Manawika…The Return of Amittada and the Cycle of Wrong Minds,” MVT (Musical Virtual Theatre), which serves as a practical model for personnel development and elevating the performing arts industry.
- The development of performing arts to keep pace with audience perceptions in the digital age, creating works that integrate modern technology with Thai wisdom.
- The awareness of audiences and society is stimulated, raising awareness of the dangers of misconceptions and encouraging them to use wisdom, reflection, and learning to keep pace with changes in today’s society.
References :
Britannica. (2025) Musical. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/art/musical.
Dhammaforpeople. (2024) The Fifth Victory of the Buddha (Chapter: Jinjamanawika). Retrieved from https://kalyanamitra.org/th/uniboon_detail.php?page=5471.
Nancy Joseph. (2019) The Surprising History of Musical Theatre. Retrieved from https://artsci.washington.edu/news/2019-05/surprising-history-musical-theater.
Shaftesbury Theatre. (2024) The History of Musical Theatre: Everything You Need To Know. Retrieved from https://www.shaftesburytheatre.com/news/the-history-of-musical- theatre.
Unrealengine. 2024) What is Virtual production? Retrieved from https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/explainers/virtual-production/what-is-virtual-production.