"The Sbek Thom is a Khmer shadow theatre featuring twometre high, non-articulated puppets made of leather openwork. Dating from before the Angkorian period, the Sbek Thom, along with the Royal Ballet and mask theatre, is considered sacred. Dedicated to the divinities, performances could only take place on specific occasions three or four times a year, such as the Khmer New Year, the King’s birthday or the veneration of famous people. After the fall of Angkor in the fifteenth century, the shadow theatre evolved beyond a ritualistic activity to become an artistic form, while retaining its ceremonial dimension. The puppets are made from a single piece of leather in a special ceremony for each character representing gods and deities. The hides are dyed with a solution made from the bark of the Kandaol tree. The artisan draws the desired figure on the tanned hide, then cuts it out and paints it before attaching it to two bamboo sticks enabling the dancer to control the puppet. The performances traditionally take place at night outdoors beside a rice-field or pagoda. A large white backdrop is held between two tall bamboo screens in front of a large fire or, nowadays, projectors. The shadows of the puppet’s silhouettes are projected onto the white screen. The animators bring the puppets to life with precise and specific dance steps. The performance is accompanied by an orchestra and two narrators. Inspired from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana, the performances stage scenes of this epic, which may last several nights and require up to 160 puppets for a single presentation..." Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage I watched this incredible invited Cambodian performance of Cambodia shadow puppet show at Khoo Kongsi in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage of George Town, Penang island. It was amazing. Also got a postcard to commemorate this performance in the George Town Festival July 7, 2012.
Postcard 1
I got this complementatry postcard at George Town Festival 2012 where a troupe from Cambodia were invited to perform this shadow puppet play. It was amazing to watch. I later got this postcard cancelled at Siem Reap post office when I visited in March, 2017.
Postcard 2
Complimentary postcard at TROPFEST South east Asia at Esplanad, Penang Island, Malaysia.
