The country’s shadow puppet tradition goes back to the seventh century and has survived the collapse of empires, wars and the Khmer Rouge reign of terror that left some 1.7 million people dead.
In recent years, however, local interest in the art that was designated a Unesco intangible cultural heritage in 2005 has dwindled, with foreign tourists and funding becoming its main supporters.
Now, the pandemic has dealt one theatre in Phnom Penh a new blow, bringing the curtain down on a troupe and its leader who has been performing in the capital for more than 26 years.
“As a performer, we need to perform as a team. But once the coronavirus came, we could not do that anymore,” says puppet master Mann Kosal, as he sifts through hundreds of leather puppets that he and his colleagues made over the years.
The few people who would come to watch the performances in the 80-seat theatre have gone due to travel restrictions and his staff are mostly at home due to a ban on gatherings and also to avoid the infection.
“I would just dream of Friday and Saturdays (performance days) to come so that we could perform.
“If there was no coronavirus, we could perform one, two, or three times a week even with less audience – that would’ve made me happier,” he said.
Kosal became enthralled by sbek thom or “large cowhide” puppetry after he started working for the Department of Performing Arts.
Sovana Phum was one of five shadow puppet theatre troupes in the country. All are now facing similar difficulties.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has taken control over the troupe, which will continue to perform under the same name, Sovana Phum Theatre Organisation. Kosal has been appointed a technical adviser. — Reuters
In recent years, however, local interest in the art that was designated a Unesco intangible cultural heritage in 2005 has dwindled, with foreign tourists and funding becoming its main supporters.
Now, the pandemic has dealt one theatre in Phnom Penh a new blow, bringing the curtain down on a troupe and its leader who has been performing in the capital for more than 26 years.
“As a performer, we need to perform as a team. But once the coronavirus came, we could not do that anymore,” says puppet master Mann Kosal, as he sifts through hundreds of leather puppets that he and his colleagues made over the years.
The few people who would come to watch the performances in the 80-seat theatre have gone due to travel restrictions and his staff are mostly at home due to a ban on gatherings and also to avoid the infection.
“I would just dream of Friday and Saturdays (performance days) to come so that we could perform.
“If there was no coronavirus, we could perform one, two, or three times a week even with less audience – that would’ve made me happier,” he said.
Kosal became enthralled by sbek thom or “large cowhide” puppetry after he started working for the Department of Performing Arts.
Sovana Phum was one of five shadow puppet theatre troupes in the country. All are now facing similar difficulties.
The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has taken control over the troupe, which will continue to perform under the same name, Sovana Phum Theatre Organisation. Kosal has been appointed a technical adviser. — Reuters
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