Print on Canvas “MONTHA DEVI” By Sompop Budtarad

One of the seven Nang Songkran (Songkran Maidens), daughters of Thao Kabilaphrom, who is known for his gratitude and loyalty.

According to the legend of Nang Songkran, when Thao Kabilaphrom lost a riddle contest to Thammakumar, he vowed to behead himself as an offering. However, if his head fell to the earth, it would ignite a great fire that would burn the entire world; if left in the air, it would cause a drought; and if cast into the ocean, the waters would dry up. Therefore, Thao Kabilaphrom ordered his seven daughters to carry his head on a tray and parade it in a circumambulation around Mount Meru every year. This is the origin of the Nang Songkran legend, where each day of Songkran is represented by a maiden with her own name, weapons, and vehicle. The particular maiden for each year depends on the day the Songkran festival falls.

Monta Devi is the Songkran maiden for Wednesday. She carries a mace, wears champaca flowers, and is dressed in precious jewels. Her offerings include milk and butter. Her right hand holds a spear, and her left hand holds a staff. She reclines with her eyes half-closed, riding on a Kaspra (donkey) as her vehicle.

The artist Sompop Butraj, in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Bangkok), has created a limited edition print on canvas series titled “Raksaset Devi”. The prints are made with high-quality “Inkjet Jiggle” printing technology, which is acid-free and lignin-free, certified for long-term preservation. Each piece is numbered and hand-signed by the artist on the print beautifully.