Post #4199

The Reamker (Khmer version of the Ramayana), the first full translation of the poem into Russian by Irina Shmeleva, a well-known Russian specialist in Khmer language and a lecturer at the Institute of Asian and African Countries, was published on the occasion of the 270th anniversary of Lomonosov Moscow State University. The Reamker, despite its borrowed plot, is a unique work and is considered the pinnacle of Khmer poetry, a literary monument that reflects the religious and aesthetic views and national traditions of Cambodia. The text, presumably dating from the 16th-17th (Part 1) and the 18th centuries (Part 2), was designed for a traditional Khmer theatrical performance where poems are recited or sung accompanied by musical instruments. Thanks to the great work done by Irina Shmeleva, Russian-speaking readers can discover this masterpiece. Enjoy your reading!