Texts, photos, videos: © Patrick Kersalé 1998-2020, except special mention.
The representation of flutes are rare. Therefore, we give here an almost exhaustive overview of our discoveries. The only type existing
Texts, photos, videos: © Patrick Kersalé 1998-2020, except special mention.
The representation of flutes are rare. Therefore, we give here an almost exhaustive overview of our discoveries. The only type existing in pre-Angkorian times is the transverse flute. There is no epigraphic occurrence in the Angkor period.
In 16th century, in the north gallery of Angkor Wat, a wind instrument that could be a blockflute is also represented.
The flute through the Pre-Angkorian iconography
Transverse flutes are visible on two lintels from the 7th century. exhibited at the National Museum of Cambodia (photos 1, 2), both from the archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk (Kompong Thom province), and a third from Phnom Bakheng (3).
The flute (veṇu) through the Pre-Angkorian epigraphy
The foundation stele of Preah Ko temple (late 9th century) mentions several generic Sanskrit terms referring to servants specializing in music and singing, the names of three instruments including a flute and some words related to the playing itself.
narttakyaśśobhanā bahvyo gāyanyo vādikās tathā
Original translation by G. Cœdès, 1937. Inscriptions du Cambodge, vol.I, p.22:XXXV
"Un grand nombre de belles danseuses, chanteuses, récitantes, musiciennes, joueuses de vīṇā et autres (instruments), habiles à frapper des cliquettes."
"A large number of beautiful dancers, singers, reciters, female musicians, vīṇā players and others (instruments), skilled for knocking the rattle."
Vocabulary related to music and dance
A great number of beautiful dancers, singers, reciters, female musicians, zither players and others (instruments), of flute, skilled in clinking the small cymbals.
The ancient Khmer word kluy appears on the pedestal of the central sanctuary of Kuk Prasat (994 AD) in a list of goods donations to the temple alongside two other instruments: "k[l]uy 1, kinara 1, chko 1", "1 flute, 1 stick zither, 1 chko (unidentified instrument)". If the term kluy is perfectly identifiable, the nature of the flute remains unknown. However, if one refers to the Ancient Khmer, Indian and Borobudur iconography, only transverse flutes are represented.
The term kluy has been transmitted in the modern Khmer (khluy).
The stone tapestries of the doorways of Angkor Wat offer us two medallions representing flautists holding the instrument in front of their faces.
We discovered this scene on June 22, 2020 is located on the doorway between the southwest corner pavilion and the south gallery. For a long time we had been looking for proof of the existence of an ancestor of the khloy terminal mouthpiece flute. But in addition to this discovery, we have just discovered the oldest visual evidence of the existence of the Sbek Thom shadow theater. The scene shows the ingredients of a performance of the Reamker រាមកេរ្តិ៍, the Khmer version of the Indian Rāmāyana. The central character is, of course, Preah Ream, who names the epic of the Reamker. It is noteworthy, given its importance in the s