Travel Photography Cambodia: The story behind the photos, a remarkable woman called Chea Samy
The story behind the photos… a remarkable woman called Chea Samy, the survival of traditional Khmer Dance in Cambodia.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Traditional Khmer dancer outside at the Royal Performing Hall
at the Phnom Penh Grand Palace, Cambodia.
This post is about a remarkable woman whom I meet in Cambodia exactly 20 years ago, it is also my last post for 2012. Still busy with all the arrangements for our upcoming tour to Myanmar and Cambodia in February and March.
1992… the Mekong River… on assignment for Animan Magazine; traveling through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia for some 3 month following the Mekong River where ever possible.
…I arrived on a hot humid day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; it was the same day the United Nations Peace keeping forces swarmed in from all over the world, trying to stabilize the war ravaged but ever so beautiful Country.
I was still on my Mekong trip but now found myself right in the middle of all this chaos and UN berets, I had completed Thailand and Laos, now it was Cambodia where the mighty Mekong River is part of everyday life. The next stop was Vietnam by road from Phnom Penh but that is another story. BTW…the Mekong story got published a few month later and became a 24-page article in Animan Magazine.
Hanging around those days was a very different story, it was almost like “Wild West” in the streets of Phnom Penh with Pol Pot still hiding deep in the Cambodian Jungle. Besides the country was littered with land mines and venturing out in the countryside was a high risk factor.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Traditional Khmer carvings APSARA can be found at Angkor Wat
and many other Khmer Temple Ruins in Cambodia.
Part of my Mekong River story was to capture also the traditional and culture aspect; places the Mekong touched on his long Journey and this is how I found this truly remarkable women in Phnom Penh.
Her name was Chea Samy… dedicating her time to the traditional form of Khmer dances, unfortunately Chea passed away some years ago but she will be long remembered for her passion and dedication to Khmer Art.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Chea Samy, preparing one of the traditional Khmer dancers at
the Royal Performing Hall at the Phnom Penh Grand Palace, Cambodia.
Chea Samy was a teacher before Pol Pot arrived, but went into hiding as a vegetable vendor during the horrific times of the Pol Pot regime that had no tolerance for Intellectuals or for the art in Cambodia.
Having survived the horrific years of Pol Pot, Chea was instrumental in reviving the traditional Khmer dancers.
I meet her in an old damaged school house where she was teaching the Khmer Dances, at the time Chea was the only surviving person who could teach these traditional dances.
I took some photos but thought it would be nice to see them also perform again at the Grand Palace adding the grace to their almost forgotten art.
So I went to work… after three days of red tape and countless discussions I finally got permission from the Ministry to photograph this group of dancers with Chea Samy at the Royal Palace.
When I told Chea the news a few days later a big smile crossed her face and she beamed with joy.
Though Chea Samy has since passed away the APSARA Arts Association is still very active in preserving traditional arts in Cambodia, an important part of Cambodia's Culture and rich History.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
I felt extremely privileged been treated to more then
just one exceptional performance that day
at the Grand Palace Royal performance Hall…
a day I always will remember.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
One of the dancers at the Grand Palace in 1992.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
It was the very first time after the fall of the Pol Pot Regime that these girls performed
in the Royal Dancing Hall at the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh.
Traditional Khmer Dances – it takes 6 years to learn and 9 years to perfect for these amazing and beautiful dancing skills.
It was the very first time that these girls performed in the Royal Dancing Hall of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh after the notories Pol Pot Regime. …a first for them and me.
GD
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
It takes 6 years to learn and 9 years to perfect these dancing skills. Not only for their movement but also in understanding the meaning of all the different dances that date back to the ancient Khmer Empire.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
The very first time these girls performed in the Royal
Dancing Hall of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
At dusk in 1992,
the Royal Dancing Hall of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh
NOTE: All photos taken with Kodachrome Film.
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If you interested and like to discover the undiscovered with me in Cambodia, Myanmar/Burma or some other Asian destinations please check our Adventure Travel Photo Tours on our Calendar for 2013.
Note: Cambodia special Photo Tour for 8 participants only in late 2013.
For more Info CLICK HERE
Combining 55 years of experience… 35 years of Photography and 20 years traveling through out Cambodia and other Asian Countries. Gunther has not only produced numerous articles for international Magazines but he knows also the right locations at the right time of the day.
We guarantee that you get the quality time you need on each and every destination with Gunther and his team.
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To my family, my friends, Photo workshop participants, supporters & readers
thanks for all your support over all these years.
Cheers Gunther
Wishing YOU all Merry Christmas
& a colorful HAPPY 2013.
NEWS RELEASE - Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer.
Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography
Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer
See below the official release:
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
(Bangkok, 19 January 2012) Exotissimo Travel, Asia’s leading DMC has unveiled a collection of niche photography workshop tours covering four top destinations in Southeast Asia. Each tour lasts between 6 – 10 days and is hosted by international photographer Gunther Deichmann who passes on his expertise in the field.
This novel selection of tours are open to all ages and abilities with professional photographer Gunther Deichmann teaching new techniques from basic to advanced over the course of each. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and gain first hand tutorial as you practice new methods. Gunther’s passion and friendly approach make his tours extremely popular and there is no doubt this series will prove just as well-liked.
All the essential elements of photography are covered with guests leaving confident in knowing how to compose the perfect shot. With over 30 years experience as a professional photographer, Gunther has worked in more than 25 countries with his camera and travelled extensively in Asia. His existing knowledge of the people and places means no time is wasted on these tours.
It's a rare opportunity to explore the unique cultural practices of a country while gaining insight into the architecture and heritage of a destination that few tourists see. The chance for spectacular photographic opportunities is unrivaled in these tours while also witnessing dramatic landscapes and meeting intriguing people that make remarkable subjects.
Gunther said, “I am delighted to be working with Exotissimo on these unique photography workshop tours. Each destination covered has its own distinctive qualities and cultural practices that we expose ourselves to, capturing the essence with our cameras while learning new techniques along the way.”
Ranging from 6 to 10 days, Exo are covering four of the most desired destinations in these photography workshops. This includes the alluring Vietnam, raw and charming Myanmar, stunningly beautiful Cambodia and enchanting Laos.
Click the LINKS to see the itineraries.
These tours have been designed by photographers with astounding photographic opportunities at every turn. They also encompass Exo’s philosophy of connecting with the people and culture of a place, as they take guests to many areas off the well trodden tourist path and into local areas where its possible to interact with villagers and learn about their way of life.
Gunther is also available for private tours. Please use contact details below for further details.
About Exotissimo Travel
Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. Established in 1993, the company is now a network of 17 locally based offices staffing over 550 travel professionals, with sales offices in Florida, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Melbourne.
For more information, please contact:
Exotissimo Travel Group – Head Office
Tel: (66 2) 633 9060
Email: marketing@exotissimo.com
