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diversions
'Dance of Cambodia'
uplifts spirits
By Alisha Gomez
On-line Forty-Niner
In a time of tragedy,
"Dance, The Spirit of Cambodia" opened the hearts
and souls of a mourning American and Cambodian audience Wednesday
at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center
at CSULB.
The illuminating
performance struck the audience with the concert's soft and
soothing appeal. People sat back and relived the history of
Cambodia through dance and song. Applause rang all throughout
the concert.
"Dance, The
Spirit of Cambodia" performed six different pieces, delivering
a different part of Cambodian history with each routine. Every
arm and leg movement told a part of the story. Watching the
performers execute the movements precisely, awed the audience,
leaving everyone intrigued and enamored with the concert.
The costumes were
so lavish that they sparkled in the dim lights of the stage.
The voices of the Cambodian people were so serene that the
audience could have swayed to it without disrupting the stage
performance. Their voices rang out with the Cambodian culture,
as if you were actually in the homeland.
Khmer music is
an important aspect of Cambodian culture. While it serves
as the oral tradition for Cambodians, it passes on from teacher
to students?all from memory.
One highlight of
the concert was a solo performance by Nol Soboun, one of the
41 tour members. In his solo, Soboun played four different
musical instruments.
As he stood before
the audience, he played the "Bong Kok Sneng," dated
back to the 6th century. It is a buffalo horn that was traditionally
used by hunters to capture elephants or to call for help when
lost. As he finished with one instrument, Soboun brought out
another one, significant of various parts of the Cambodian
culture.
Another piece Soboun
played was the "Sdech Yaeng," which is a double-reed
flute made of bamboo. It is only used for the "Arakk,"
or worship of the spirit, and "Kar," or wedding
ceremonies. As he played, it was as if the souls of Cambodian
culture were being bared in through their music.
The finale was
a "Reamker" excerpt, which is a classical dance-drama
performance of the Cambodian culture. The excerpt picked up
from a scene where Preah Ream (Prince Rama) and his brother,
Preah Leak (Laksmana) prepare to rescue Ream's wife, Neang
Seda (Princess Sita), who has been kidnapped by the evil Krong
Reap (Ravana), in the land of the giants, Krong Langka.
One of the most
beautiful scenes to this piece was the trial of fire for Neang
Seda. Here Neang Seda stood above everyone else, while her
attendants, with candles in their hands, circled her.
They chanted a
song that translated to "I have truly been faithful to
you. Here is fire as my witness." Neang Seda must prove
she has been faithful to her husband by this trial of fire.
All lights went out, with the exception of the lights from
the dancers and their candles. It was one of the most breathtaking
parts to the entire performance.
Words cannot describe
this piece. Lavish costumes and eye-striking dances moved
the audience to a standing ovation. As the performers took
their final bows, the clapping only got louder.
To miss "Dance,
The Spirit of Cambodia" is to miss out on humanity. With
such horrific events surrounding everyone, for one night,
people felt connected with each other, and alive. Many were
touched by the Cambodian culture; others felt the beauty of
the people and their wonderful gift of life.
"Dance, The
Spirit of Cambodia" gives an inside look to the Cambodian
culture, their people and most importantly, their liveliness
and love for life.
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