Golden memories ... សុវណ្ណអនុស្សារ

With School of Vice's and Khmerisation team's best wishes to all readers around the world on the auspicious occasion of the Khmer Pjum Ben.

Sarikakeo - Uoch Savy & Ieng Sithul

Ms Ouch Savy may not be the most beautiful or glamorous among her female contemporaries in the world of Khmer art and entertainment, but she is [at least in my estimation] head and shoulder above most of them in her artistic talent, and in particular, her golden classical singing vocal. I first had the privilege to witness her unique talent on a live performance at a venue [I won't say where except to state that it wasn't Brunei or Dubai!] where she performed a rarely heard piece in the chapei dong veng format in between chapei songs presented by her famed tutor and mentor - master Kong Nay. Immediately after the show I had the chance to chat with them both, putting them to a rather stern and impromptu test on their grasp of the Khmer tongue! It was no surprise that the master scored slightly better than the pupil on this subject! [Well, either that or he simply ignored what I was saying?] Ms Savy clearly struggled to make head or tail of my Khmer speech when all I wanted to find out was how she came to possess such angelic voice! [Hearing her voice live was far better than listening to her on line like this] Eventually, one of her tour aids or organisers intervened in the conversation and she was able to answer my question - somewhat! I got the distinct impression that she was puzzled by the nature of the question. Perhaps, it was down to the fact that the voice has always been there ever since she first learned to speak and communicate, and School of Vice being School of Vice simply could not understand this? Any way, the main piece [and the most captivating in the entire programme for me] was a real treat, and clearly a treasure not to be missed for connoisseurs of Khmer poetry and literature at their refined peak and glory, and was/is more than likely a survivor from the early or even pre-modern era of Khmer literature, judging by the sheer quality of the literary expression or poems rehearsed by the performer. Notwithstanding the destruction and decline of the arts in general this side of the KR regime, it made me realise just how deeply rich and beautiful Khmer civilisation has been and still is as I sat among other audience totally mesmerised by its charm and completely in awe of its majesty. Buddha bless her and the Khmer arts! - School of Vice

Doung preah chan trea - samouth & sothea


Khmer Smot - presented by Ms Phoeun Sre Pov