THE FLUTE PLAYER, a documentary film about the life and work of Arn Chorn-Pond
Followed by performances by Cambodian artists, Arn Chorn Pond, Ieng Sethul and Sinat Nhok

Venue: "AHUMCAARA", No.7, Oakland House, Adyar Club Gate Road, R A Puram, Chennai-600 028

If the Khmer Rouge had not taken over Cambodia in 1975, Arn Chorn-Pond probably would have carried on his family's legacy and become an opera star. Instead, at the age of nine Arn was thrust into the darkness of Cambodia's ghastly Killing Fields. For four long years Arn struggled to stay alive amidst torture, murder, and frontline combat. As his family and culture were destroyed, Arn's musical talent kept him from perishing in a genocide that took the lives of 2 million Cambodians.

Now, after living in the U.S. for 20 years, Arn faces the dark shadows of his war-torn past as he fights to save Cambodia's once outlawed traditional music from extinction with the Cambodia Living Arts he founded with the support of World Education. An extraordinary story of survival, The Flute Player is a testament to one man's triumph over tragedy.

Ieng Sithul is one of the most highly regarded of all traditional Khmer performing artists working with the Cambodian Living Arts. A performer of many forms of music and dance, and a superb teacher, Master Ieng Sithul is a household name in Cambodia seen often on television and at festivals. Sinat Nhok is one of Cambodia Living Art's most advanced and talented students. Just 19, he can play about 8 string instruments and also the small drum. He represents Cambodia Living Art's 300 students of 17 master artists. Sinat comes from a poor village near Angkor Wat and for some years learned ancient wedding music with CLA class there but now has advanced to study at Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, where he also still studies with two CLA masters. Among the instruments Sinat plays is the kse diev, one of the oldest and now rarest instruments, made with a gourd that is open at one side and held at the heart. It is depicted on several 12th century bas reliefs at the Bayon temple near Angkor Wat. Sinat is studying with Master Sok Duch, the last great master of the kse diev, and is learning also how to make the instrument.

Prakriti Foundation wishes to thank World Education- Boston, The Aseema Trust, Chennai, Charley Todd and John Burt of Cambodia Living Arts, Ms.Sunita Shahani of Ahumcaara.