Robam Sovann Maccha

Robam Sovann Maccha (Khmer: របាំសុវណ្ណមច្ឆា, also Robam Hanuman and Sovann Maccha) is a traditional Cambodian dance. It narrates the encounter of Hanuman and Sovann Maccha during the construction of the causeway to Lanka in ''Reamker'', a Cambodian version of Indian epic ''Ramayana''.

History

Robam

One of the earliest records of dance (Khmer: ') in Cambodia is from the 7th century, where performances were used as a funeral rite for kings. During the Angkor period, dance was ritually performed at temples.

The repertoire of the female dance that was famously known in the West as Royal Ballet of Cambodia is composed of about 60 dance (pure dance pieces) and among them Robam Sovann Maccha, extracted from Reamker is an episode of great popularity among Cambodian audience.

Reamker

The original ''Ramayana'' arrived to Southeast Asia from South India along with Hinduism, but its adaptation there suggests Buddhist influence.

The exact time that ' was introduced to Cambodia is unknown. The earliest mentioning of the epic dates to the 7th century according to a stone inscription at Veal Kantel, Stueng Treng. Based on this inscription, the epic then existed in Cambodia as the inscription mentioned the offering of the epic's manuscript to a temple that expressed its importance in Khmer belief. The surviving text of ''Reamker'' dates to the 16th century. Intricate carvings on the walls of Angkor Wat depict a scene from the ''Ramayana'' dating back nearly a millennium. Statues of the poem's heroes were worshiped in temple sanctuaries, akin to the wall paintings at Cambodia's Royal Palace and Wat Bo.

The Cambodian version includes incidents and details not found in the Sanskrit original written by the poet Valmiki. An example of a story that does not appear in Indian texts and performance is that of the encounter between Hanuman, the monkey general, and Sovann Maccha, the mermaid, a favorite of Cambodian audiences.

Story

The dance narrates a scene of ''Reamker.'' Preah Ream (Rama) orders Hanuman to construct a causeway. He directed monkey troops to collect rocks and drop them into the sea. But these rocks kept disappearing. Hanuman dove into the sea to discover that the golden mermaid—Sovann Maccha—was responsible for the disruption. While trying to overcome Sovann Maccha, they fall in love, then give birth to a monkey with a fish tail known as Macchanub. Hanuman explains to the golden mermaid why he needed the rocks. Sovann Maccha agrees to allow the causeway to be built, and returns the stolen rocks. She then assists Hanuman in the project.

Character and costumes

The characters performs in Robam Sovann Maccha consists of Sovan Machha- the golden mermaid who leads a shoal of fish disrupting the construction of the causeway to Lanka and Hanuman- the monkey general who leads a troop of monkeys.

Sovann Maccha

In the past, Sovann Maccha worn a single-spire crown as seen in the Reamker mural painting at Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh and the Sovan Maccha dancer in the 1900s.

However, in today traditional dance, most Sovann Maccha character wears another type of crown known as ''mokot kantuy hong'' ( hamsa's tailed crown).

The costume is seen solely gold in accordance to the character's name (Sovannn Maccha) which is literally translated as ''golden mermaid''. The ears are adorned with flora (flower and on both side), the earrings, and chor trajeak (ears decorating jewelry). Unlike other female roles in Royal Ballet of Cambodia, Sovann Maccha does not wear sbai (a shawl-like garment worn in Cambodia) and only wears a gold long sleeved silk shirt. Around the neck and over the shirt is an embroidered collar known as srang kor. A decorated band of beads known as is worn crosswise. Over the srong kor is a large-single pendant necklace.

The character of Sovann Maccha wear a gold . The sampot is wrapped around the lower body and then pleated into a band in the front and secured with a gold or brass belt''.'' An embroidered piece of cloth is worn in front under the belt. Moreover, Sovann Maccha wears decorative and embroidered cloth with fish scale patter in the shape of a tail of fish (caudal fin) from the front to the back side with another piece of embroidered cloth drops downward. This caudal fin-shaped cloth piece distinguish Sovann Maccha from other female role in Royal Ballet of Cambodia.

The jewelry for this role includes various types of ankle and wrists bracelets and bangles with many styles.

Hanuman

Human's entire costume can be seen solely white.

The character wears monkey mask, designed specifically for the character. Hanuman also wears the ''srong kor'', an embroidered collar around the neck.

Unlike other female characters' costume, Hanuman's costumes are more intricate than the female role, as they require pieces, like sleeves, to be sewn together while being put on.

The shirt that Hanuman character worn is a white silk long sleeved shirt with gold spiral

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