Sunday, March 04, 2012

To the memory of Ms. Chhuon Malay, a great loss for all Cambodians

Ms. Chhuon Malay
04 March 2012
By P. from Long Beach

It is with deep regret that I learn that Ms. Chhuon Malay, a Cambodian singer from the 60s and 70s, passed away recently. This news brings me a lot of sadness and I personally feel as if I just lost a close relative.

After escaping from Cambodia, the only links left to our beloved country were a few old cassette tapes I managed to drag along on my journey to the west. I still remember listening in my dorm room the sweet voices of Sin Sisamouth, Ros Sereisothea, In Yeng, So Savoeun, Meas Hok Seng, Chhuon Malay etc… It was a time when “iPod” and “MP3” were still to be invented, yet I still remember clearly turning over and over the cassette from one side to another to listen to the same songs again and again. They brought me back long lost memories of relatives and friends whom I have lost contact, of different time, of different place that long disappeared from the Cambodia I knew. The voices of these singers were forever engraved in my heart, they were soothing voices that lulled me to sleep at night.

With time, the voices of these Cambodian singers became so familiar that they sounded more like family members rather unknown strangers whom I never met. It is in this sense that I feel their passing away like that of a close family member. For all the fond memories, I would like to thank Ms. Chhuon Malay. May you rest in peace, and should there be a next life, allow me the opportunity to listen to your voice once again in our beloved Cambodia.

Thank you for the memory!

P. from Long Beach


Chhuon Malay - Holiday

Chhuon Malay – Chan Reah Mok Leng Ramvong (It’s full moon, let’s dance Ramvong)

Chhuon Malay – Sday Kal Vey Khmeng (Youth Nostalgia)

Chhuon Malay – Phum Komneut (My birth village)

Chhuon Malay - Th-ngay Nis Chuob Khnea (Today we meet each other)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, never knew she was alive. Why didn't anyone did an interview with her? Her passing is sad but even worst when she was alive and no one had the audacity to interview her.

Anonymous said...

You should tell us her age ?

Anonymous said...

it seemed to me all our past, famous singers always stayed secluded with their life. the same can be said of so sovoeun, chunn vanna, etc; maybe they all wanted to be left alone. anyway, one of my favorite song sang by chhoun malai was called 'tes sopeap tonle mekong', i can't find this song, but if anyone know what i'm talking about, could you do me a favor by posting this song here on this blog. appreciated in advance.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the memory!

That is Bob Hope's not yours. You should say - as Bob Hope used to say "Thanks for the memory!" ...

P. doesn't stand for Plagiarism, does it?

Anonymous said...

Enough!!!

Khmer, please quit being distracted.

Stop the KRT immediately!!! Ah Hun Sèn must be tried instead and blindfolded for the firing squad as soon as possible!!!

Ah traitor Hun Sèn is killing Khmer people left over from the Viet engineered killing Fields for the Viet and giving up Cambodia as the land for the Viet Federation of Indochina!!!

Anonymous said...

Mr. P. from Long Beach,

Thank you very much for letting us know of the passing away of Ms. Chhuon Malay.

I share your wonderful and sincere reminiscence of the old Cambodia of which I also had the privilege and pride of being part.

I would ask to join you in saying and I quote: "For all the fond memories, I would like to thank Ms. Chhuon Malay. May you rest in peace, and should there be a next life, allow me the opportunity to listen to your voice once again in our beloved Cambodia."

While reading Mr. P's announcement, I thought about her songs trying to remember what they are and sure enough, KI Media Team or Mr. P or both has/have already uploaded some of them here. You are just too good!

Your work is always appreciated.

It will be with sadness for her passing away and admiration for her talent that I will now listen to these songs.

Pissed off

Anonymous said...

One by one, our nation is sadly losing its precious jewels.

Perhaps, I'm too nostalgic with the old memories, but I find today's singers/composers lack of originality, not to say talent.

Anonymous said...

it's ok! you have to keep in mind back in the olden days, the talented people have teachers, mentors, good composers, talented musicians, etc; now, they may lack those individuals because we know the stupid KR killed most of them already. it's like khmer people had to start all over again from scratch almost, you know. so, don't feel bad, just give in more time, khmer will will renaissant and get better at it; after all, they have to learn the hard way. you see, the KR were ignorant and stupid people that ran the country because they killed their own people and killed off the educated population, the talented people, etc, etc... so, we can see how stupid and ignorant the KR were, ok! that was the problem. god, i hated the stupid KR, i hope they all die soon from old age or sickness or whatever. the KR were so stupid for destroying and killing their own people! don't be stupid and ignorant like the stupid, ignorant KR people again, ok!

Anonymous said...

5:07 AM, you are just old and weak! Head on to the temple/Pagoda or whatever your religion is and do some serious praying. It may do you some good.

Anonymous said...

You will not have Cambodia to call home anymore before they all die you stupid yourself @5:54 AM. Keep dwelling in the past and feeling sorry for yourself, ok?

Anonymous said...

Chhuon Malay died in Ohio and she is 71 year old as stated in the flier in Long Beach. There was a Buddhist ceremoney for her at the temple in Long Beach today. Her oldest son is a musician and he lives in Long Beach too. Bang Malay moved out of Long Beach way before Pen Ram passed away. I will always think of her every time I listen to her songs. She is one of the best!!!

From T in Ldn said...

Thank you to P from Long Beach for posting those lovely songs that made me remember my pre-75 youth, friends, family and beautiful srok Khmer, which were all lost during the KR regime.

Anonymous said...

May be there are a few Khmers who have known Chhuon Malay personally and have asked her to write down her personal memoirs. If so can you please post her memoirs and share with other khmers? Please?