By Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
Robam and Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer are believed to be the oldest art forms in Cambodian history, and they are now on the way to being preserved for the next generation, according to officials.
Soth Somaly, Professor and Director of Royal Dance at the Royal University of Fine Arts, said that the university planned to conduct research to create a compilation of all extant Khmer traditional dances and plays. These artistic gems will not be lost as the older generations pass on. Robam and Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer will be preserved, to play as significant part in Cambodia's future, as they did in the past. Robam and Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer were included in the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2003.
The Professor said, “Both Robam and Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer are considered to be vital expressions of intangible World Heritage. They are symbolic of the richness of Cambodian culture and artistic activity and are recognized across the Globe. Thus, we have to preserve, compile and make them live for the benefit of those to come.”
Referring to ancient texts in the possession of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Cambodians used to be familiar with over 4,500 distinct artistic activities, along with many hundreds of complete Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer scripts.
However, during the years of chaos and civil war, she said many of the arts were lost forever as the original and ancient texts were destroyed.
“A century ago, we were able to perform hundreds of complete Robam and Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer works. However, because of the civil war, they are lost and we are unable to reconstruct them. As they cannot be performed, they are lifeless,” she said. “So far, only about two percent of Cambodian arts are able to be performed for local and international audiences. Thus, the university has to re-discover and compile this material as a matter of urgency,” she said.
She pointed out that for many decades, Cambodian artistes would only perform traditional dances in glorious ceremonies to welcome Cambodian and international leaders. As a result of the civil war, this gorgeous spectacle has been denied to all.
Today however, with progress and sustainable development, and with financial support from AMRITA Performing Arts Organisation (a nongovernmental organization concerned with preserving the arts), the Royal University of Fine Arts has begun to research and compile Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer for display; therefore, the art of the ancestors of all Cambodians lives on and respected visitors to the nation will once again experience a true Cambodian welcome.
Recently she said, with hard work and research, at least five series of Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer were re-compiled and rehearsed before an audience by the University. She named these traditional stories, speaking of them with pride. They are Preah Thong Neang Neak, Preah Sothun Neang Keo Monoreah, Ko Samuth Toek Doh and Sovanna Hong. Sovanna Hong is the oldest of the reclaimed stories and a performance of this ancient text is scheduled for July 4, 2008.
Proeung Chhieng, Professor and Vice-Dean of the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh said that with financial support from UNESCO, the Rockefeller Foundation and AMRITA, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts had studied more than 50 Robam Kbach Boran Khmer stories and compiled a further 20 stories of the Lakhoan Preah Reach Treap tradition.
Professor Proeung Chhieng, a former of Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer Actor and Hanuman Model in Sangkum Reastr Niyum in the 1960s, said that today, the Royal University of Fine Arts has trained many students, teachers and researchers how to create in the style of traditional music, theatre and dance and preserve the documents relating to original materials.
He said that currently the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts was writing a sub-decree on heritage that is geared towards encouraging elderly Cambodians with knowledge and experience of traditional arts to share their memories of performances gone by. Their memories will be documented and it is hoped that this collection may provide clues as to the fate of some of the lost works. He was enthusiastic when he said the Ministry was particularly keen to hear from veteran performers and had created further sub-decrees to ensure the preservation of their memories.
Suon Bunrith, Country Manager of AMRITA Performing Arts Organization, said that since 2003, his organization has provided much financial support to the Royal University of Fine Arts to fund research into traditional dances and theatre in Cambodia.
He said, “Since 2003, at least 10 Khmer traditional treasures including royal dances, music and theatre have been preserved by the Royal University of Fine Arts.”
He said that for this year, AMRITA has provided six grants, each over US $5,000 to the Royal University of Fine Arts to continue research and produce new works in the style of Lakhaon Kbach Boran Khmer and other traditional arts.
He said, “AMRITA will try find to funds from the Rockefeller Foundation and other donors to support the Royal University of Fine Arts in her efforts to conserve these treasures from the past.”
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