Thavro Phim performs one of his dances.By Nancy Arcaynamailto:Arcaynanarcayna@starbulletin.com
During the period known as the "Killing Fields" in Cambodia (1975-1979), Thavro Phim lost his father, brother and grandfather. The communist revolution took the lives of more than a quarter of the country's population, including many cultural leaders.
Cambodian DanceDemonstration: 2 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday
Place: East-West Center Gallery, John A. Burns Hall
Admission: Free
Call: 944-7177
Part of the recovery has been to restore the nation's cultural heritage. Phim is part of the first post-Khmer Rouge generation to study traditional dance, participating in programs to maintain a sense of continuity and history through folk dances and classical drama.
"Cambodian dance served as an aspect of cultural pride, as they recovered," said William Feltz, coordinator of the East-West Center Arts Program.
In free Cambodian dance demonstrations this weekend at the East-West Center, Phim will present his humorous classical monkey dance, which originates from the Hindu epic Ramayana.
"His specialty is the monkey dance," Feltz said. "He has mastered the traditional Cambodian dance styles."
Phim last performed in the islands about 11 years ago when he was a research intern at the East-West Center. During his stay, he also performed with the Tau Dance Theatre and Dances We Dance Company.
He now works with Southeast Asian immigrants in Philadelphia.
The dance demonstrations are among events connected to the "Living Angkor" cultural display on view through Jan. 17 at the East-West Center Gallery. The exhibit includes artifacts, photographs from National Geographic photographer Paul Chelsey, costumes, masks, sculpture, stone carvings, traditional textiles and musical instruments.
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