Saturday, December 25, 2010

“La musique adoucit les moeurs” – Music has a civilizing influence

Dear Readers,

As I was sending my short article and songs for KI-Media to post, I was wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. While perusing over the comments posted by readers of this website, especially regarding the Christmas message posted the web administrators, a reader commented:

“Please stop bring somethings that pollute Khmer any more. Ah Youn and Ah Seam did it all. KI if you really Khmer than bring real Khmer culture to Khmer will you.”

That comment forced me to stop and think carefully about my habit of sharing of Khmer Oldies songs with the readers of KI-Media. For one thing, even though the songs that I share are Khmer songs, some, if not all of them, are modern songs using western genre music (Cha Cha Cha, Slow Rock, Blue, Twist, Rock and Roll, Ram Vong, etc…). So does that mean I am polluting Khmer people also? Am I contributing to bringing “Non” Khmer culture to Khmer people?

At the risk of being pounded into a pulp again, let me raise a controversial issue with all the readers and I would appreciate it if you would share your opinion with me, be they positive or negative. In case some of us, Khmers, have forgotten our origin, our ancestors were Hinduism worshippers: Brahma, Vishnu, Siva were the deities our ancestors built those majestic temples for. Then came Buddhism which we also adopted from India as well. As I understand from the person who commented above, in his opinion, the unpolluted Khmer culture would be Buddhism and not Christianity as displayed by that Christmas message posted by KI-Media. Even though I pick empty cans for my humble living, I am still of the opinion that the person above has absolutely no clue as to what he was talking above. For one thing, neither Hinduism or Buddhism were the faith originally observed by our ancestors, it was animism which Wikipedia defines as: “a philosophical, religious or spiritual belief that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in all other animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment.”

In fact, most, if not all Cambodians, even though the majority of us are Buddhist, we still worship some form of animism one way or another. Therefore, if I were to faithfully respect the wish of the person above, what kind of music would it be “kosher”, so to speak, for me to share?

But more importantly, to be a “Non” polluter of Khmer culture, what religion should I follow? Should I follow Hinduism or Buddhism which are of Indian origin? Is it OK to be Christian, a religion brought in originally by the European travelers? Shouldn’t I be animist like my ancestors, but then who can tell me what is Khmer-animist is all about any more?

By now, I hope you can see my point, when it comes to faith and religion, it is best to leave to each person to choose what is best and more fitting to one’s needs. We are better off having an open mind rather than being forced into a straight jacket and follow a single mold. After all, no religion teaches us to kill one another, only human beings do so to one another. With that in mind and with the help of Buddha, Christ, Allah, Yahweh, etc… I am now ready for your beating me into a pulp again. But, wait, before you do so, please listen to the songs below first, as the French said: “La musique adoucit les moeurs” – Music has a civilizing influence.

Pax vobiscum - Peace be with you!

P from Long Beach
-----------------
So you wanna be a conservative Koun Khmer? Are you a Komloss-Achar then?
Pen Ran & Meas Samorn - Komloss-Achar

Don’t worry be happy! Chhub Pruoy Tov Bang!
Pen Ran - Chhub Pruoy Tov Bang!

Am I still a polluter of Khmer culture? Then there’s no hope left for me: Oss Phlov Heuy Bang!
Ros Sereysothea - Oss Phlov Heuy Bang!

So you still want me to be a conservative Khmer like you? Then you better teach me, that is if you are the top teacher: Krou Bang-hat Lekh Muoy
Meas Samorn - Krou Bang-hat Lekh Muoy

But, if you still hate me, go ahead beat me into a pulp, but wait, why do you cry while I sing my sad song: Bang Chrieng Neang Yum
Sin Sisamouth - Bang Chrieng Neang Yum

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear All Cambodians,

We very understand you’re feeling toward us Vietnamese but you have to understand if you can’t defeat us. Than joint us, so you will live longer to see your grandchildren grow up. If you can’t defeat us, please don’t again us because we Vietnamese people are kind and good heart people. We don’t want to see you guys get killed or misery. Please joint us and we like to make Cambodians live happy and rich in the future. We Vietnamese love to live at Cambodia, you should be proud of that. At the moment we only have five millions at Cambodia, we plane to get more our Vietnamese to Cambodia. Do you know what is it mean? It is mean Cambodia will be more population and that is very good for Cambodia’s economic when Cambodia’s economic grow all Cambodians will be rich and free from suffering. Cambodia will become a developed country.

We hope you will rethink and reconsider again for what you are trying to do because what you are trying to do is killing yourself only. There are no way out at all.

Best Regards
Vietnam Patriots

Anonymous said...

Dear P from Long Beach,

You raised a good point of weakness in egoistic Khmer society,
the religion.What's the religion?

Religion is like alcohol that effects addiction. Alcohol, be it a sugar or fruit or grain based fermentation,all resulted intoxication and addiction.

No good come out of religions.

Religious preachers are the licensed baron of robbers.The same for lawyers,living like l
eeches.

You pointed out"After all, no religion teaches us to kill one another, only human beings do so to one another." Not quite right according to their teaching books.

Crusifix crusaders or Muslims killed non belivers who resisted their conversion.

In fact,all religions were invented/made by humans. Naturally all humans posessed killer instinct. So in the creation of the "god" they emphasized killing was OK as long as it was for god agendas. Look at dog nature, if it (dog reverse of g o d) lived by hunters, it hunts.

Being born into Khmer already, I am addicted or polluted in one way or the other already,so civilize me with your pollution,please.

Toh Shia

S from World Lightning Capital

Anonymous said...

Excellent, P! The closed-mindedness and intolerance are the most dangerous religions or diseases.

Anonymous said...

GP-LB,

You are become very effective and efficient when you get angry, LOL!

I wish you get more angry often, so that you can sent us all these good oldies songs...which I am highly appreciate.

If you want to pollute me, I welcome you to pollute me any time - with the good history of the songs and rich Khmer culture back than which I don't know much. This will teach the non-polluters a lessons! Better learn something from GP-LB, I dare you to counter GP-LB with your non-pollute element of true Khmer culture!

Thanks GP-LB,

Generation X,

P.S. Yeay Tep...are you wake up yet? GP-LB just sent you more songs! You better say something before GP-LB get so angry that he is going to shoot us all with revolutionary songs!...Just want to go back to nice and romantic songs, LOL. because it is easier to listen on the Saturday morning!

Anonymous said...

KI MEDIA... can we see the face of the the cartoonist please. He must be very handsome and talented individuals.

We want to know and see what he looks like.

We love his creativities!

Anonymous said...

Regarding these songs, all Khmers and Ki Media staff should know the song belong and released from the cassettes 'Tvist Tvist Khuom' 1974 song. I bought this cassette at that era and I remember the song.

Angkorian K/Man

Anonymous said...

When will this sarcasm or this one-self put-down by P. from Long Peach end?

What will he accomplish by that?

How much of a gratitude or attention is this P fishing for?

Is this one of a peculiar Khmer mentality of his that P wants to be reckoned with?

Actually, how many Khmers are really giving a rat ass about his oldies and/or can collection?

There has been one guy that loves sarcasm in everything he writes from Khmeriwitica and Khmerconscience web site...Could it be that P from long beach, that guy???

Just wonder...

MURPHY once said - quit while you are still behind.

Khmer Israel said...

If you want to continue in your ignorant, fine. When your destination ended in this life; how would you like to spent your next?

Sour grapes does not grow from sweet vines, neither true religious beliefs stem from man made belief system. With that said, all religious beliefs has some sweetness to them. Because it originated from the true vine.

The only "kosher" religion is in the God of Israel. It was Yahweh himself who revealed it to the children of Israel. Israel had to throw away the idols of Egypt when they departed from their land.

But Israel did not keep following Yahweh their God, but tried other religions which was to their own hurt. But God have always preserved a remanent for himself who will usher in his glorious kingdom on earth.

Anonymous said...

11:49 PM,

Being an agnostics, one would just say ...who gives a rat ass about what you said 11:49 PM???

Anonymous said...

music/song is a part of khmer culture!

Anonymous said...

Yeay Tep,

Where are you? How come you are not engage in this blog? Or are you angry with GP-LB somehow because he didn't answer your questions?

Or you don't like these songs that he post? Well, you know GP-Lb is very accomdate to us bloggers, and especially you!

Yeay Tep - Ta Tep really wants you to come back!!! If you don't say something, he mights not going to post anything any more - than that will be....well, you know...lost all the good songs that he share with us!

Happy Chritmas morning to you,

Generation X

Khmer Israel said...

11:54 PM, You can be what you will but you can't change the laws that God has set forth in his universe. You still need wings to fly: complying with his law. Don't dare jump off a plane without a chute.

Besides, God has set forth a nation in this world that defy all odds - Israel. Israel is becoming a very prosperous nation compare with other larger nations. Why do nations hate Israel? Because they rather believe in the lie of their Adversary, the devil. The Devil hates God and he has to hate Israel also.

Cambodian government has agreed to hate Israel also by promoting a Palestinian State to exist within Israel. Wrong, they don't want Israel to exist at all. God will knock out the teeth of Israel's enemies.

Anonymous said...

The cartoonist sam rainsy or the bald head sacrava?

Anonymous said...

Si la musique adoucit les moeurs ou bien en Anglais, Music soothes the soul, then give us music and quit bullshitting, SVP!

Anonymous said...

çà va, 3:41 AM? why so upset?

Anonymous said...

I love your songs posted.

Anonymous said...

sống Việt Nam từ lâu! Hun Xen sống lâu!

Anonymous said...

If you still don't believe me when you and your friends see us vietnamese at shopping come and hit us, we will demonstrate that your policemen and your court will stand by us 110%. Please don't just take my words, you guys come and hit one of our vietnamese than you will see. That's I'm not lie at all.

Anonymous said...

THANKS YOU SACRAVA CARTOON! OUR VIETNAMESE ARE LIKE BOMBO IN CAMBODIA. WE WILL MAKING MORE HOMES FOR OUR NEW COMING VIETNAMESES FROM VIETNAM. AS YOU ALREADY SEE WE KICK YOUR PEOPLE OUT SLOWLY FROM CAPITAL CITY. WE WILL BUY MORE FARM AT COUNTRY SIDE TOO. WE TAKE YOUR CAPITAL CITY AND COUNTRY SIDE LANDS.

CAMBODIAN YOUTHS AND MILITARY ARE WEAK AS CHICKEN SHIT. THEY CAN'T STAND TO FIGHT US AT ALL. IT IS OVER 30 YEARS ALREADY IF THEY DO, THEY SHOULD DID LONG TIME AGO.

PLEASE GIVE UP YOUR HOPE AND JOINT US TO MAKE NEW VIETNAM STATE! WE HAVE EVERY THINGS IN CAMBODIA SUCH AS VIETNAM SHOPS, VIETNAM RESUTRANTS, VIETNAM COMMUNITIES... AND EVEN TV, RADIO CHANNEL AT CAMBODIA IN VIETNAMESE.

Anonymous said...

NO, WE ARE SUCCESS ALREADY AND WE ARE PREPARING TO RISE UP MORE THAN 10 MILLIONS VIETNAMESE AT 2015. SO WE HAVE TO MAKE MORE HOUSES AND BUY ALL CAMBODIANS FARMS TO CREAT JOBS FOR OUR NEW COMING VIETNAMESES. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD THAT WE LOVE YOUR COUNTRY.

Anonymous said...

Vietnamese girls are far more beautiful and clever that is why your kings love our vietnamese girls every generation and give them big lands as gifts. Khmer girls skin are dark and ugly we definitely don't want her at all.

Most cambodian men now aday love our vietnamese girls and they are doing anything to please our vietnamese girls.