Large-scale shadow play

The Big Skin Shadow Theatre was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List on November 25, 2005. The art of Big Skin Shadow Theatre has a long history and tradition in the Kingdom of Cambodia. It is recognized and valued by the world as a great human treasure and was included as a World Heritage Site in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005 by UNESCO, which is a priceless national pride. Big Skin Shadow Theatre is a Khmer art form that has been around since the 1st century. This is a testament to the brilliant intellect and supreme creativity that created this art form into a magnificent spectacle. It can be said that the above-mentioned Big Skin Shadow Theatre is an art that brings together all seven arts.

Therefore, the testimony of this skin play, also called puppet play, is recorded in some documents from the post-Angkor period. This large skin play is seen performed during major festivals, especially in Siem Reap, Angkor, such as prayers for a wish, funerals for deceased abbots, festivals to ask for rain, and festivals to celebrate the king's birthday, with large crowds attending. After the 13th century, some neighboring peoples mistakenly believed that Khmer leather art, which the people of Battambang Province often call ‘Nang Thanh’, originated in Thailand.

As in the case of the Khmer royal dance, our research to find out when Khmer leather art originated has provided a clear solution. Khmer leather art was imported from India in the early 1st century AD, meaning leather art originated in southern India. The heritage of Khmer leather art dates back about 2,000 years, which even the Khmer themselves have not been fully aware of in the past due to a lack of documentation. Some neighboring countries also claim this Khmer art heritage as their own, such as the Thais or the Malays. However, recent research, after the country ended its long-standing war, has made it clear that Khmer leather art originated in the early 1st century, having flowed in from India.

This leather art was first found in southern India, where it was made as an offering to the powerful gods of India. This leather art offering is a prayer for prosperity and happiness for the people of India. The creation of this leather art on the waters of the Kingdom of Cambodia was first carried out by urbanized Indians in the early 1st century AD. At the time of the influx of this type of leather art into Cambodia, in India, leather art was widespread, such as in the districts of Bejbor, Bailari, Chitradurga, Ringalaramisa, Sipeg, Mandiya, Tubkor and Natka, where this leather art is similar to the current Khmer leather art.

Please note that the similarity between Khmer and Indian leather art is a confirmation that both leather arts have a very old history in each country, and this leather art is still preserved until today. After influencing the Thai kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.

In general, like Indonesia and Malaysia, Khmer leather art definitely originated in India.