A trip back to life, love and how he is remembered - through her story

At the year-end of 2014, I have the great honor to go through the fascinating trip with a group of friends. We left the city on 30 of December to Steng Treng town. We spent the last day of 2014, 31 Dec, to visit the survivor of Khmer Rouge regime, the wife of the Cambodia's emperor of golden voice singer, Mr. Sinn Sisamuth. Since I got to know a friend whose name is the same with mine, I learnt a great deal about the singer's life and his songs and the meaning behind it. She is truly the great fan, and thanks to her I got to know and learn more about our art and culture and oldie songs. The wife, to whom we called her grandma, narrated us her life and love stories, how she remembers her bittersweet memories with, the life, the love, the separation and reunion, the bad and good time they shared. After all, what remain treasure is the memory one shares with another person, a loved one.

Our team at Mrs. Sin Sisamuth home in Steng Treng town - 31 Dec 2014.
Photo credit to Phann Sithan


Have you ever listened to the song "Kolab Battam Bang"? What about the song "Champey Siem Reap"? Do you know the story behind these songs?I listened attentively to the story behind the composition of both songs and really appreciate the way our grandfather expressed his love through the songs. What if you listened to someone whose is the reason why one of the two songs was composed for? Later during my stay in Steng Treng, I listened to countless time for Champey Siem Reap song and tried to imagine the feeling embedded in the song.

Oh, there is also the video documentary "Don't Think I've Forgotten" in which I watched twice at Chaktomuk Theater, which played a great influence over me. The video was a great deal of a research work into the rise and fall of Khmer Rock and Roll and the loss of it. It features the life of great singers and artist such as Sinn Sisamuth, Ros Serey Sothea, Pen Ran and other great singers during 1960-1970. It was the video that I got to like Yors Ularang (the singer of "Chis Cyclo")without knowing his name before.

In my view, the arts and music and painting reflect the level of knowledge and civilization of a country. I am sure some people might say they don't like to go to the exhibition of painting, especially abstract painting as they don't understand a thing about what the painting express. When the country is prosperous in term of human resource, education level, stability, peace of mind and peace of heart, then arts and music is an expression of celebration of civilization. Needless to say the reason why we have such a great traditional dance and its meaning, the great variety of songs carrying deepest meaning of romance expressed through such a consoling voice of Mr. Sinn Sisamuth and the like.

                                  Me and Mrs. Sinn Sisamuth at her home.

Our team at Mr. Sinn Sisamuth's birth home where their wedding took place. The longan tree is much older than all of us visiting her and still stand handsomely in front of the house.

Cambodia's younger generation should strive to learn more about our past, our history, and learn to appreciate what is left for us. Mr. Sinn Sisamuth is a truly gifted persons; he is truly remembered and whenever we miss him, we listen to his consoling voice. If you don't believe me, have a listen at this song and  really put your feeling into the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-WgF5COZ8c



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