Highlights
of Cambodian New Year 2003, San Jose, Bay Area,
N. California
COMMITTEE
IN GENERAL
Phillip
Lim – Chairperson ,
Paul Lon – Vice Chairperson
Chanthoeun To - Secretary,
Channary Bill – Treasurer,
Davy Chea – Treasurer,
Chamroeun Yean – Cultural
Dance Coordinator, Frank Huon
- Adviser, Norind Su –
SJCBS President,
Perom Uch - Sr. AdviserRobert
Lor – Stage Manager, Someth
Lor – Stage Décor &
Photo/Video Coordinator,
Vinita Kylin
–Social Dance Coordinator
Photos - Morning
All Other Photos of 2003 Event Donated by Davy Chea |
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| Photographed by Bill Lange (Reserved
with Copyright of http://www.ltaphotos.com/)
Click on each picture to view it bigger |
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| MCs: Sovandy Hang & Sarah Chea |
Open Remarks by Mr. Perom Uch |
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Hin Sath |
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Representative of
Hon.
Mike Honda, Congressman |
Mr. Phillip Lim, Chairperson
of
Cambodian New Year 2003 |
Hon. Terry Gregory,
San Jose City Council |
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Thousands of people attended this
holiday observance featuring blessings by Buddhist
monks, traditional new year games, Cambodian fashion
show, Khmer rememberance Song, the cultural dance
performances and the public were warmly welcomed.
This year the day-long community celebration began
at 9:00 AM with Buddhist monks in saffron robes
chanting and performing the New Year Blessings ceremony.
The blessing is followed by a display of traditional
Cambodian games for adults and children. These daytime
festivities are an opportunity to participate in
the rich cultural heritage of the Khmer people making
a new home in this country and are free to all comers.
In addition, there will also be a host of vendors
displaying their arts and crafts and other Cambodian
products. The evening cultural program begins at
5:30 PM and will feature several performances of
Khmer classical ballet and folk dance; folk and
classical music as well as modern performances.
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Robam Neary Chea Chuor:
This dance is a Khmer Classical dance describing
the beauty of young ladies in their elegant costumes
performing beautiful Khmer dance. This dance reminds
the Khmer people of the rich culture that has been
kept and nourished through generations, and it is
a well known among the neighboring countries. |
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Robam Meh Am Bao:
It illustrates a story of bug busters working diligently
to maintain the garden and keeping unwanted bugs
away. At same time, a group of young female butterflies
flying and singing in the garden as they look for
pollen to extract. To their surprise, the butterflies
are quietly caught by the bug busters. They try
to convince the bug busters to release them by claiming
they were just "beautifying" the garden.
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Robam Phuong Neary:
This Classical dance describes the beauty of Khmer
woman. The music and the melodic song narrated her
uncompromising beauty and compare it to a golden
flower. Although she is practical and strong, she
is also admirable and soft. This dance brings out
all of which true beauty is. |
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Robam Moni Mekala:
depicts the story of three students, Moni Mekala,
Ream-Ea-So and prince Vora-chhun, who received lessons
from one teacher, Moni-Ey-Sey. The teacher had given
each of them specialized weapons before their departure.
Ream-Ea-So was a bad giant who seeks to steal the
other's weapons to be top in his class. He kills
prince Vora-chhun for his Sword, and is trying to
kill Moni Mekala for her Crystal ball. |
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Moni Mekala is not only beautiful,
but is also powerful. She fights her battle bravely
with Ream-Ea-So. While attempting to take possession
of the Crystal ball from Moni Mekala, Ream-Ea-So
throws his Arch in an attempt to kill her. To prevent
this, she throws her Crystal ball up to make the
thunder's flame,
blinding Ream-Ea-So and defeats him at the scene.
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Robam Koah Trah Lauk:
This Classical dance describes the beauty of Khmer
woman. The music and the melodic song narrated her
uncompromising beauty and compare it to a golden
flower. Although she is practical and strong, she
is also admirable and soft. This dance brings out
all of which true beauty is. |
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Seven Day Color Fashion
Show: Seven beautiful Cambodian ladies
dressed in vibrant color pamoung for seven days
of the week:
Sunday - Red, Monday - Yellow-Orange, Tuesday -
Purple, Wednesday - Mustard-Green, Thursday - Green,
Friday - Blue, Saturday - Burgundy
For special occasion, Cambodians believe that choosing
the right color of clothes in accordance with its
color chart will bring good luck and happiness.
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Khmer Remembrance Song:
"Savoda Khmer" or "Khmer Remembrance
song" is written by Mr. Nuon Kan (well known
Khmer poet). This poem reminds all Khmer, young
and old, domestic and abroad, to remember their
roots and origin. It further describes its geography,
rich natural resources, Angkorian history, culture
and tradition, architect, and many more. It is a
well-known fact for many centuries. |
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Yeeke Tum-Teav
- ( Part—II )
A scene where Daun Phann tricked TEAV to marry someone
else
In the previous scene, Tum and Teav were married
by the king. The couple was happy together. However,
Daun Phnan, Teav's mother, strongly disagreed with
the king's decision. She prefers Teav to be married
to a wealthy person for it is in her best interest.
She sent Teav a faked letter stating her severe
health condition and wishes to see her daughter.
She slowly learned her presence is requested for
an arranged marriage that her mother had set up.
She was to be married to Meun Nguon, the son of
a regional governor, Auh-Choun. She later discovered
her mother had "tricked" her. For it is
the only way to manifest true love in the presence
of the villagers. The test proved the couple remains
faithful to one another. They were tragically separated.
Tum was battered by Auh-Choun and was taken away
to be executed.
This TUM-TEAV sad scene, reminds us of Shakespeare's
Romeo & Juliette story.
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Chhayam features
the long-drum (skor chhayam), clashing hand-held
cymbals, wooden clackers (Krab), and other noisemakers
made of commonly found materials. The performers
show off in comic masks and exaggerated hair styles
and make-up. Communal and spontaneous, the combination
of drumming, comic exhibitions, and animated vernacular
call-and-response vocals (at times nonsensical)
are characteristics of Chhayam |
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Funded
by 
