What is lakhon Bassac in Cambodia?
Lakhon Bassac or Lakon Bassak (Khmer: ល្ខោនបាសាក់) is a popular theatre of Cambodia, created by Khmer people near the Bassac River in southern Vietnam at the beginning of the 20th century. Musically it appears similar to pinpeat versions of Vietnamese cải lương.
What is lakhon Bassac music?
Lakhon bassac is a form of spoken and sung theatre accompanied by both Vietnamese/Chinese-influenced music and Cambodian music. Sometimes even Western instruments are included. The acting is often improvised, while Cambodian classical dance gestures and poses are included in the dance scenes.
What is the performers of lakhon Bassac?
The performers consist of skillful actors, beautiful voice vocalists, wardrobe specialists, make-up artists, skillful musicians, and more. They form their own group and give themselves a name (a business name).
When did lakhon Bassac start?
Lakhon Bassac made debut into Cambodia in the 1930s. Quite often, Mr. Ly Suon, known as Merchant Chha Kruon, brought a Lakhon performing troupe from Kampuchea Krom to Phnom Penh and have them performed in Cambodian high-land provinces along the Bassac River.
What is the performers of Khon?
Khon Ramakien originally could be performed by men only. Women performed only as angels and goddesses. Today women perform as monkeys and demons. In the past, Khon was performed only by the royal family, with the sons of the king performing as monkeys and demons.
How is Cambodia and Myanmar music unique?
In Cambodia, where the preference is for stories of the Ramayana (which is called Ramker in Cambodia), the music is a full gong ensemble similar to the Thai pi phat ensemble, while in Myanmar, a percussion orchestra of drums and gongs in circular frames accompanies singing, dancing, and dialogues in all types of plays.
What is the popular folk theatrical performance in Cambodia?
Lakhon bassac or basak is one of the most popular folk theatre in Cambodia.
Is khon still performed today?
Traditionally, Khon was transmitted in the royal or princely courts, and in dance masters’ households. Today, however, transmission occurs mostly in educational institutions, while still adhering largely to traditional methods.
What is the music of khon?
Thai classical music is also often used as an accompaniment to classical dance such as khon. The music played by the classical orchestras essentially uses a scale of seven equidistant tone-steps, although vocalists and instruments without fixed pitch may sometimes use additional tones.
What is the khon dance?
Khon, the Khon Masked Dance Drama in Thailand, is a performing art that combines musical, vocal, literary, dance, ritual and handicraft elements. Traditionally, Khon was transmitted in the royal or princely courts, and in dance masters’ households.