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Cambodian Chapei Master Kong Nay Passes Away at 80

  • Posted Jun 28, 2024 18:22 by Anthony Ellis
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Phnom Penh, June 28, 2024 – The legendary Chapei master, Kong Nay, known as the "Living Heritage" of Cambodia, has passed away at the age of 80. He died on the afternoon of June 28, 2024, in his hometown of Kampong Trach District, Kampot Province.

Kong Nay was born on March 15, 1944, in Doung Village, Northern Svay Tong Commune, Kampong Trach District, Kampot Province. Tragically, at the age of 4, he was left disabled by polio. He began learning to play the Chapei Dong Veng at the age of 13. Due to his disability, he often faced ridicule from his peers and those around him.

In just two years, by the age of 15, Kong Nay began his professional career and quickly gained fame. He earned the nickname "Handsome" Nay and continued to achieve significant success, including:

- In 1982, he won first place in a provincial Chapei competition.

- In 1991, he won first place in a national Chapei competition in Phnom Penh, becoming a prominent Chapei artist at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts until his retirement in 2007.

- In 2001, he was awarded the title of Master of Khmer Cultural Arts by the Royal Academy of Cambodia and received the Monisaraphon Decoration from the Royal Government.

- In 2002, he was honored with the title of Honorary Artist by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

- In 2003, he became a master artist at the Khmer Amatak Organization and trained many students until his retirement in 2007.

- In 2007, he received another decoration from the Royal Government.

- In 2012, he was named a “Living Heritage” by a Royal Decree from King Norodom Sihamoni.

- In 2017, he received the Fukuoka Prize for Arts and Culture, an award established in 1990 in Fukuoka, Japan, to honor outstanding achievements in education, arts, and culture in Asia. Kong Nay is the third Cambodian to receive this prize, following Chheng Phon and Ang Choulean.

Kong Nay was one of Cambodia's most renowned traditional artists, known both locally and internationally for his contributions to the art of Chapei Dong Veng.

The esteemed master artist Kong Nay passed away at his birthplace in Kampong Trach District, Kampot Province, at the age of 80.

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