‘Agangamsor’ a Hit in Maryland Performance

By Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
24 November 2009

A Buddhist dance troop visited the Asian Arts and Culture Center in Maryland earlier this month to perform “Agangamsor and His Magic Power,” a uniquely Khmer adaptation to the Indian Ramayana.

The troop, from the Cambodian Buddhist Society, performed at Towson University, on Nov. 7. Its musicians and dancers are little-known treasures in the US state.

Master artist Mani Massady was trained at Cambodia’s Fine Arts University. Composer and “roneat aik,” or lead xylophone, player Chum Ngek and producer, lyricist and singer Say Sara were leaders of professional music ensembles in Cambodia who revived their arts in refugee camps and the United States since late 1970. Several up-and-coming dancers and musicians trained under these masters.

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