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Resources > Collections > Artwork Preah Lak fighting Virulmuk Koma

Year of execution:  2013
Year of acquisition:  2013
Medium:   Cowhide leather mounted on bamboo
Dimension:  158 cm (height)  cm
Acquired in 2013

Sovanna Phum Art Association is a shadow puppet theatre company based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Sovanna Phum, which means ‘Golden Village’ in Khmer, was founded in 1993 by self-taught puppet maker Mann Kosal and French circus performer Delphine Kasam. The group performs two forms of traditional shadow puppetry, Sbek Thom and Sbek Touch. They also conduct regular training and education programmes on shadow puppet making and performing.

Preah Leak was sent by his half-brother, Preah Ream, to fight Enthachi in the battle of Lanka, and here represented by a member of his army, Virulmuk Koma. Preah Leak is engaged in a fight with Virulmuk Koma. Although Virulmuk Koma is not a member of the royal family, both men are depicted in their ornate and jewel-encrusted garb, as well as a towering mokot or carved traditional Cambodian headwear on top of their heads. This might refer to a scene where Virulmuk Koma transforms into Enthachi as a decoy while the real Enthachi strikes from the clouds. Virulmuk is seen with his left arm straightened to protect himself from Preah Leak’s incoming attack, as Preah Leak’s grip catches his bow. 

Artist(s)

Sovanna Phum Art Association