Luke Duggleby

CAMBODIA: The Revival of Khmer Performing Arts

When the Khmer Rouge were finally brought down from power almost everything in Cambodia had been destroyed. Not only had over one million people died but age old traditions from all walks of life had ceased to happen.

Amongst these traditions were was music and dance, Khmer performing arts that had since the Angkor times amazed and awed locals and visitors to the Kingdom. Slowly such things as age-old funeral singing, Khmer dance and the playing of instruments such as the sadiew are being revived by a small number of Cambodian's who don't want to see the traditions lost forever.

Performances at the Apsara Dance School located in the suburbs of the capital.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Traditional Khmer dancers perform to the parents of the bride and groom during a Khmer wedding.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Blind teacher of smot Mrs Koeut Ran, 57, teaches a class on the floor of a classroom of the local school.Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia
     
  
A night time performance at Sovannaphum Theatre.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Blind master Kong Nay, the Ray Charles of Cambodian music leads a class in the CLA building teaching the chapei. Behind him sits his star pupil Ouch Savy, 22, (female) who started playing in 2003.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Students take part in the evening 'yike' dance class lead by the 74 year old master Khi Mom. However, Khi Mom is too old to teach now so she leaves the class to her assistant Uy Latavan, 55. (pictured)Phnom Penh, Cambodia
     
  
Nhok Sinat, 22, plays the sadiew at his rented home near the campus of the Royal University of Fine Arts. He and his friends are forming a band that plays traditional music.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
A night time performance at Sovannaphum Theatre.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Blind teacher of smot Mrs Koeut Ran, 57, teaches a class on the floor of a classroom of the local school.Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia
     
  
The beginning of a traditional Khmer wedding procession in which music plays a very important role.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Blind master Kong Nay, the Ray Charles of Cambodian music leads a class in the CLA building teaching the chapei. Behind him sits his star pupil Ouch Savy, 22, (female) who started playing in 2003.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Performances at the Apsara Dance School located in the suburbs of the capital.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
     
  
The bride to be stands next to the muscians of leng Sithul before going on stage.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
At a Khmer wedding a musician plays an traditional instrument. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Traditional Khmer dancers perform to the parents of the bride and groom during a Khmer wedding.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
     
  
Nhok Sinat, 22, plays the sadiew at his rented home near the campus of the Royal University of Fine Arts. He and his friends are forming a band that plays traditional music.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Blind teacher of the traditional Khmer funeral music called 'smot' Mrs Koeut Ran, 57, and her husband behind who leads her to class everyday.Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia
   
Traditional Khmer dancers perform to the parents of the bride and groom during a Khmer wedding.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
     
  
Students take part in the evening 'yike' dance class lead by the 74 year old master Khi Mom. However, Khi Mom is too old to teach now so she leaves the class to her assistant Uy Latavan, 55. (pictured)Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Performances at the Apsara Dance School located in the suburbs of the capital.Phnom Penh, Cambodia
   
Lun Pha Nith, 20, plays a traditional Khmer instrument with band members at the house of Nhok Sinat.Phnom Penh, Cambodia