Revitalizing the Arts in Cambodia
I became aware of Cambodian Living Arts in a very roundabout way. It was during a trip with my son Graham that I first came to Cambodia. Our visit was totally unplanned. We ended up in Siem Reap, Cambodia because on two different flights to meet Graham in Asia, I sat next to people who showed me photos of Angkor Wat and said – “You have to take your son here.” So while waiting to board a flight, I called and rearranged our entire trip. It was a decision that I have not regretted.
I knew that the former Head of Watkinson School, Charley Todd, was living part time in Cambodia, but I had never met him. I got Charley’s email address and dashed off a note, asking if he would be in Siem Reap when we were scheduled to be there. Fate intervened; Charley had just arrived back in Cambodia the day before he received my email, and we were able to meet. The ensuing friendship and partnership between me, Graham, One Pearl, Charley and CLA was born in August of 2004.
Charley took us to Wat Atwea, where we saw master musicians and their students hard at work, the older generation passing the musical history of their beloved land to the younger generation. Through Charley, Graham and I came to learn more about the atrocities that occurred in Cambodia as a result of Pol Pot’s reign of terror in the 70’s. We were struck by the perseverance of the older master musicians, who had survived unimaginable horrors. We were inspired by the eagerness of the young kids, wanting to learn to play the music of their culture, which had all but been obliterated by the Khmer Rouge. Traditional Cambodian music has never been “written”, instead passing orally from one generation to the next. Because musicians, artists and the educated were targeted for execution during this time, Cambodian culture was nearing extinction. Graham and I were amazed at the tenacity and lust for life that the Cambodian people seem to possess. Their ability to forge ahead, to try and overcome the memories of that evil time, shows what the human spirit is capable of.
Cambodian Living Arts was formed by a man I am honored to be able to call my good friend, Arn Chorn-Pond. Arn survived Pol Pot. Tragically, most of his family did not. Arn’s incredible story of escape was made into an Emmy nominated movie, “The Flute Player”, which wins accolades from all who see it. After seeing this movie, I was able to begin to understand why Arn has spent the decades since then as a human rights activist, and why he founded CLA. Arn took his wounded heart, his anger and his hope, harnessed that energy and got to work. Through his efforts and vision, CLA was born. CLA’s mission is to: “support the revival of Cambodian traditional art forms and to inspire contemporary artistic expression.” Through Arn’s tireless work, his dream is becoming reality.
That CLA teaches young musicians the music of their forefathers is really just the tip of the iceberg of what they do. I have been to Cambodia many times over the past few years, and each time I begin to understand more and more what the freedom to learn means to those who teach and those who apprentice. At last, these gentle souls are being given a chance to be heard. To be free again, to not have to hide their talents, passions and opinions. Cambodian society is still recovering from one of its most cruel eras. Expression, through words and music, is part of that healing process.
CLA does more than teach music, it gives young people something to look forward to and to feel proud of. These eager students also learn English, a skill that they clamor for and cannot get enough of. They are taught ways to earn money through their music, and are counseled on ways to improve their lives and that of their family.
CLA is bringing about wonderful things for a culture and children that so deserve it. I am honored to be involved.
