สำนักงานราชบัณฑิตยสภา

93 ไพโรจน์ ทองค� ำสุก วารสารราชบัณฑิตยสภา ปีที่ ๔๐ ฉบับที่ ๒ เม.ย.-มิ.ย. ๒๕๕๘ Abstract Dear in Thai Dance Pairoj Thongkumsuk Associate Fellow, Academy of Arts, The Royal Society of Thailand. Deer, as defined in the Royal Institute Dictionary (2011), are a kind of mammals and ruminants with a pair of hooves on each leg. There are multiple species of deer, generally characterized by gracile body, long neck, long legs, short tail, and highly sexual dimorphism-female deer are smaller than male ones. Other words that are used to refer to deer include Maruk (wild deer, elk), Maruki (female deer), Marukarat, and Marukamat, while the word “nua” is also used to call medium-size wild deer and endangered species. Deer appear widely and variously in Thai dance; they differ in form, character, and role. Sometimes, they play a leading role in the dance, while on some occasion they serve a supporting role. Deer characters can be found in such plays as Ramakian, Unnarut, Sakuntala, Suwannasam, Mittham Khong Nuanang. Keywords: deer, roaming deer, Thai drama art.