The golden age of Cambodia was between the 9th and 14th century, the Angkor period, during which it was a powerful and prosperous empire that flourished and dominated almost all of inland south east Asia.
Many temples from this period like the Bayon and Angkor Wat still remain today, other small monuments however, are scattered throughout its neighboring country such as Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam as a reminder of the grandeur of Khmer arts and culture.
Cambodia's unparalleled achievements in art, architectures, music, and dance during this period have had a great influence on many neighboring kingdoms, namely Thailand and Laos. However, Angkor would eventually collapse after power struggle between royalties and constant warring with its increasingly powerful neighbors, notably Siam and Dai Viet.
But during the 1950s and 1960s, Khmer arts and culture take a turn for the better. My Uncle and Father recalled that Khmer movies were translated and played in its neighboring countries. And students from parts of Southeast Asia were sent to study in Phnom Penh. They recalled having foreign students as classmates at the University of Phnom Penh.
Then during 1975 to 1979, the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge happened, where one third of the population were killed, including many great artists and intellectuals. Since then Khmer have been playing catch-up with its neighboring countries and the rest of the world.
With this in mind, I started this website in hope of networking among Khmer artists worldwide to share ideas and talk about our arts and culture. Hopefully, to let the world know that Khmer arts may take a setback, but still alive and flourishing. Khmer Pride!!!
User Comments
Comment by INCENSEMASTER on 2008-10-03 15:01:14 I support you on your venture of bringing back and preserving Khmer Art(s) & Culture. Because it is what I am doing myself. It is a very beautiful culture. No other can compare to. It is of it's own nature. It's own category. Whether it be practicing Kbach Kun Boran Khmer or Playing Boran Instruments or having the gifted hands to create astounding Khmer Boran Art. Nonetheless, KHMER(s) will prevail once again just as we did in the past times. But that must take Unity. Unity is what I see less and less of these days when it comes to Khmer Beings. It's sad. But True. It's almost as if it was some sort of curse to make it become in such a way. The Golden Age is Coming. It's time to Release This Curse and Become One with One Another Once More and Create and Preserve what is Essentially True and GREAT. Only We Can Make Our Culture Exist And Rise Once More. UNITE! Don't ever forget our True Nature Of Being Calm And Loyal. But when push comes to shove I'd have to say that We KHMER are the MOST Ruthless of Them all. After all it's in our Khmer Boran Bloodline. For me it's in My Nature. Because I was told that I am of Pooch Naek Jumbang(Blood Of A Khmer Warrior). Both Ancestors of Mine Are Of Martial Warriors. I am not ashamed to say that. Because it is TRUE. But I have more of the Calm Nature Of Khmer and The Overboard Anger of Chinese at times aheh. Even though I am part Chinese. I Represent Both To The Fullest. Especially KHMER. I teach and preach the youngsters of what it means and not to ever forget who you are or where you're originally from. I do not care if you are born elsewhere because it will always be in Your Blood. Khmers today look nothing like what the Boran Khmers looked liked in the past. Our land is being given away by the dozen by the corrupted government. May we Rise and Prevail from this Curse and UNITE Once Again. Tears fall as I see our Khmer Brother(s) and Sister(s) fight one another of materialistic and foolish things of this world. Soon, it will happen. Because Supreme God, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Indra, God(s), Supreme Buddha, Buddha(s), Kru Praem(5 Masters), Jesus, Maha Guru's(Ei Sei)(Teachers & Masters of the Universe), Mother Earth, Angels, Sacred Objects and Celestial Beings of the Universe Hear and See Our Khmer Brother(s) and Sister(s) Prayers and Wishes. They(Meaning the ones that I mentioned above that are worshiped and prayed to) also said that things will get better for Us Khmer(s). For those that are Good and Walk the Path of Light we will Strive and Move Forward. To those that are Lost. You will be Guided. We've suffered long enough. We Will Flourish and Prevail once Again! Do not let Ignorance, Stubborness, Selfishness and Obstacles hold you back from becoming the best that you can be. Because You Are The Best Without Negativity. FIRST AND FOREMOST: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE! KHMER(S) UNITE! KHMER UNITY! KHMER PRIDE! and Maybe One of These Days We Will Have ASIAN UNITY! ASIAN PRIDE!
Sincerely, A Khmer Brother - WAN(PERUN)
Comment by GUEST on 2008-10-03 15:32:17 I support you on your venture of bringing back and preserving Khmer Art(s) & Culture. Because it is what I am doing myself. It is a very beautiful culture. No other can compare to. It is of it's own nature. It's own category. Whether it be practicing Kbach Kun Boran Khmer or Playing Boran Instruments or having the gifted hands to create astounding Khmer Boran Art. Nonetheless, KHMER(s) will prevail once again just as we did in the past times. But that must take Unity. Unity is what I see less and less of these days when it comes to Khmer Beings. It's sad. But True. It's almost as if it was some sort of curse to make it become in such a way. The Golden Age is Coming. It's time to Release This Curse and Become One with One Another Once More and Create and Preserve what is Essentially True and GREAT. Only We Can Make Our Culture Exist And Rise Once More. UNITE! Don't ever forget our True Nature Of Being Calm And Loyal. But when push comes to shove I'd have to say that We KHMER are the MOST Ruthless of Them all. After all it's in our Khmer Boran Bloodline. For me it's in My Nature. Because I was told that I am of Pooch Naek Jumbang(Blood Of A Khmer Warrior). Both Ancestors of Mine Are Of Martial Warriors. I am not ashamed to say that. Because it is TRUE. But I have more of the Calm Nature Of Khmer and The Overboard Anger of Chinese at times aheh. Even though I am part Chinese. I Represent Both To The Fullest. Especially KHMER. I teach and preach the youngsters of what it means and not to ever forget who you are or where you're originally from. I do not care if you are born elsewhere because it will always be in Your Blood. Khmers today look nothing like what the Boran Khmers looked liked in the past. Our land is being given away by the dozen by the corrupted government. May we Rise and Prevail from this Curse and UNITE Once Again. Tears fall as I see our Khmer Brother(s) and Sister(s) fight one another over materialistic and foolish things of this world. Soon, it will happen. Because Supreme God, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Indra, God(s), Supreme Buddha, Buddha(s), Kru Praem(5 Masters), Jesus, Maha Guru's(Ei Sei)(Teachers & Masters of the Universe), Mother Earth, Angels, Sacred Objects and Celestial Beings of the Universe Hear and See Our Khmer Brother(s) and Sister(s) Prayers and Wishes. They(Meaning the ones that I mentioned above that are worshiped and prayed to) also said that things will get better for Us Khmer(s). For those that are Good and Walk the Path of Light we will Strive and Move Forward. To those that are Lost. You will be Guided. We've suffered long enough. We Will Flourish and Prevail once Again! Do not let Ignorance, Stubborness, Selfishness and Obstacles hold you back from becoming the best that you can be. Because You Are The Best Without Negativity. FIRST AND FOREMOST: REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE! KHMER(S) UNITE! KHMER UNITY! KHMER PRIDE! and Maybe One of These Days We Will Have ASIAN UNITY! ASIAN PRIDE!
Sincerely, A Khmer Brother - WAN(PERUN)
Comment by GUEST on 2008-10-09 10:14:07 Khmer Pride
Comment by incensemaster on 2008-10-21 17:47:07 WWW.KUNKHMERWARRIOR.COM - "LIVE TO LEARN, LEARN TO LIVE." "KNOWLEDGE IS ENDLESS."
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-16 17:51:24 Perfect painting guy, but the APSARA seem to be very sexy.
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-16 19:24:26 I know that you are very talents with the arts like this but your picture made my heart break. As a women i feel down and i don;t know how to express my sorry to see these pictures.
I feel hurt so much! Please do separate Apsara , Our angel , from those sexy images.
I will call for many women to against your works.
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-16 19:45:21 I am feel painful when i see those Khmer Apsara become like that. U mush value Khmer culture.I thing that it is really effect with Cambodia traditional. Please be moral and value yourself also. It is not your game. Your pictures make my heart break. U are khmer also isn't it?. Please stop doing that.
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-16 19:52:06 Actually, Khmer women really attractive to other nations because of good attitude, culture, and costom but is not their sexy bodies as you have mentioned in your webpage.
I don't want to spend alot of time to write to you or I can say that you are not Khmer because you don't give any value to Khmer women as well as yourself.I don't know if you are single child in your family or you don't have sisters, that's why you don't understand, how value they are as women?
DO YOU LEAVE IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OF SEXUALITY?
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-16 23:47:56 Early Khmer women are like this, have you seen those apsara carvings on the walls of Angkor Wat?
Comment by GUEST on 2008-12-16 23:49:44 Hey Guys, I dont understand why u give less value to Khmer gilrs, if you ever angry if i draw a picture of ur wife with unclothes adn with sex feeling? you should know that all khmer girls are not sexy as you have drawing. i dont know how to express my feeling angry when i saw the first time at those pictures,. You are not a man that i would give respect to. PLEASE STOP THAT OK!
Newsflash