bokator training cambodia

Besides Martial Arts, San Kim Sean was also involved in a music band back in the 70s. To earn higher colors of Kramas a certain amount of techniques in Bokator must first be mastered. An ancient Khmer warrior using a thrust kick on Rahu in a bas-relief from the Banteay Chhmar temple. In the past the cords were believed to be enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial. Angkor Wat is believed to be the birthplace of bokator| Muzhik/ Shutterstock.com The term itself translates into "pounding a lion", withbokmeaning to pound and tormeaning lion. Ground fighting in the middle. These animal fighting techniques allow bokator to be a straight up fighting style. Lo sentimos, se ha producido un error en el servidor Dsol, une erreur de serveur s'est produite Desculpe, ocorreu um erro no servidor Es ist leider ein Server-Fehler aufgetreten Bas-relief located at Angkor Wat(1100s), Ground technique: leg grab and spear attack from the ground. Activity KNN Cambodia is looking for: 1. Although there are no records to prove this, the term bokator is itself a possible indicator of its age. Moreover, this martial art is said to be the close-quarter combat system used by the armies during the Angkor era. The man responsible for the construction of Angkor Wat was the warlike King Suryavarman II. Yong Tak, 21, has trained for 10 years and has become one of the top fighters at the Kampong Chhnang club. Thayer once wrote for The Post. Religious life was dominated by Brahmins who in India also practiced sword fighting and empty-hand techniques. I cant move like him, Yom says, taking his pupils creativity as a sign of the sport's evolution. Cambodianess. After much persuasion and with government approval, the former masters relented and Sean effectively reintroduced bokator to the Cambodian people. One relief shows two men appearing to grapple, another shows two fighters using their elbows. Bokator is an old Cambodian martial art that offers the incorporation of weapons. Instead, big cats of Southeast Asia include the Indochinese leopard and tiger. The Best Hospitals/Medical Clinics in Phnom Penh & Siem Reap, Hiring Mopeds / Scooters in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Bokator is a Cambodian martial art form that involves close hand-to-hand combat, ground techniques and weapons. It aims to develop the mental and physical strength and discipline of its practitioners through self-defence techniques and a philosophy of non-violence. Indian culture and philosophy were the major influences in Angkor culture. The art also follows the theory of using hard points of the body in a fight. Sao Von, 80, at her house in Kampong Chhnang provinces Rolea Baier district. Bokator. Now 80-years-old, Sao Von still recalls how she would watch her grandfather practice lbokator and try to emulate the moves behind her house. Bas-relief at Bayon temple(12th/13th century), Angkor statue of grappling by the Khmer Empire. But only 1,000 of these must be learned to attain the black Kroma. In addition to animal styles, bokator has techniques based on Hindu deities such as hanuman and apsara. For instance, the rituals and social practices observed in Kun Lbokator requires that the practitioner possesses knowledge about nature and the universe. Fully dedicated to reviving the art as culture, sport, entertainment and a way of life that the Khmer people can once again be proud of, he has worked tirelessly promoting Bokator across the world through events, demonstrations and in competitions and been a passionate figure in gaining UNESCO recognition for the Khmer Culture. This was announced by UNESCO and Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodia's Prime Minister, on their official social media pages. The best and the worst. This obviously wasnt the case though in the past when this art was used in warfare. Both are standard techniques in modern kun Khmer, or pradal serei. In the past this was done by warriors to increase strength. Phnom Penh Post, 7 Feb. 2018, www.phnompenhpost.com/post-life-arts-culture/26-year-old-bringing-cambodian-history-life-through-swords. Many people claim that Sean "invented" the Bokator name and style of . But he also realised that a large part of his task was to reeducate local youth because most of them were unaware of their Khmer traditional martial arts culture and only knew about other countries boxing. Bokator is one of the earliest Cambodian martial art and is said to be the close quarter combat system used by the armies during the Angkor era. When fighting, bokator exponents still wear the uniforms of ancient Khmer armies. This is the highest one can achieve in Bokator and is seen as a massive achievement in the art. For example, there are horse, bird, naga, eagle, and crane styles each containing several techniques. Overshadowed as Cambodia's premier martial art for much of the past century by the more spectator-friendly Cambodian kickboxing (or Kun Khmer), Bokatorhas witnessed a government-supported comeback in recent years in line with country's economic development and growing self-confidence. Just so grateful to still be training in the rain @brianle_official @talynedelson KUN BORAN CAMBODIA BOKATOR YUTHAKUN #BOKATOR #CAMBODIAN #KHMER, #kunkhmer #kunkhmerboran, #silat, #MuayBoran, #MuayThai #ikouwais #jetli #saenchai Once in America he started teaching hapkido at a local YMCA in Houston, Texas and later moved to Long Beach, California. The competition involved masters leading teams from 9 provinces. Bokator Khmer: The Ancient Form of Cambodian Martial Arts. The first grade is white, followed by green, blue, red, brown, and finally black, which has 10 degrees. TRAINER, FIGHTER, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST. His school has been largely self-financed, but he has also received some aid from his overseas friends. But thankfully my overseas friends have helped me because they know that my family has sacrificed everything just to bring bokator to the international stage.. Both are standard techniques in modern kun Khmer, or pradal serey. However, it is estimated that the art was developed over 1700 years ago. This site is licensed as Creative Commons Attribution 3.0. Behind the back submission hold on the left. Masters play a crucial role in the performing aspect of Kun Lbokator because they serve as mediators between the apprentices and the guardian spirits, and thus are responsible for introducing new apprentices to them and the surrounding nature, asking for the apprentices protection and safety in training. According to the legend a lion was attacking a village when a warrior, armed with only a knife, defeated the animal bare-handed, killing it with a single knee strike. It used a various array of elbow and knee strike, shin kicks, submissions and ground fighting. January 16, 2023 at 6:57 a.m. EST. Bokator is one of the earliest Cambodian martial art and is said to be the close quarter combat system used by the armies during the Angkor era. This is most certainly a time-consuming and possibly lifelong endeavor: in the unarmed portion of the art alone there are between 8000 and 10000 different techniques, only 1000 of which must be learned to attain the black krama. The new school is still under construction, but will be ready for the opening in early December and he is thinking of setting an evening timetable for tourists to visit the show after dinner. In 2017, Lbokator was highlighted in the successful Cambodian martial arts film Jailbreak. Cambodias long martial heritage may have been a factor in enabling a succession of Angkor kings to dominate Southeast Asia for more than 600 years beginning in 800 AD. Instead the cords are merely worn as a salute to past soldiers. Because lbokator was so important to his forefathers, Yom says he feels called to revive and preserve the tradition. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. Angkor Wat, the world's largest temple, has gigantic bas-relief murals that depict martial arts and battles dating back to the temple's creation 900 years ago. These scarves are formally known as Kramas. This ensures the fight stays directed on achieving one primary goal which is to win. During a state visit by Hun Sen to Beijing in May 2014, China's leader Xi Jinping (also Communist party general secretary) promised to fund the construction of the main stadium of the new multi-purpose sports complex on the Satellite City of . UNESCO has officially inscribed Cambodia's "Kun Lbokator", commonly known as Bokator, on the World Heritage List, according to Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona in her brief report to Prime Minister Hun Sen on the night of November 29. The ancient martial art combines techniques like throwing elbows, knees and punches as well as using weaponry. Training Department at RMA Cambodia Cambodia. (n.d.). San Kim Sean has collected more than 3,000 techniques and illustrated each of those techniques in a book which he gave to UNESCO.He added that he also believes that King Jayavarman VII was a practitioner of bokator. Would like to Visit orphanage in Siem Reap to bring gifts?? Tho Srey Nich, 17, is a student at Yoms club who says she has trained in lbokator for four years, though her parents were initially hesitant about her interest in the sport. Curtin, J. The concept of the lion and bokator's animal-based techniques most likely emerged during the reign of the Angkor kings and the concurrent influence of Indian martial arts. Practitioners are trained to strike with knees, elbows, hands, feet and even the head. Bokator , or more formally, Lbokator () is a Khmer martial art that includes weapons techniques. National Bokator athletes are training hard ahead of the 32nd South East Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia in 2023. Short sticks are commonly used as a weapon. Pradal serey is a more condensed fighting system which uses a few of the basic (white krama) punching, elbow, kicking and kneeing techniques and is free of animal styles. Address Phnom Penh, Cambodge. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from, Graceffo, A. The first six colors in order of lowest level of krama to highest are white, green, blue, red, brown and black. Submitted addresses will be confirmed by email, and used only to keep you up to date about Global Voices and our mission. Categories Cultural Center . The youth belong to the last generation that can help to bring back what we have lost, and we have to come together as one family., He said he became infatuated with bokator at an early age adding, I started to learn bokator when I was 13 years old, even though my parents didnt want me to learn as they thought I could do better things than just learning how to fight. Other ancient temples such as the Bayon and Banteay Chhmar also depict martial arts bas-reliefs. But realising that his beloved bokator was virtually wiped out during the upheavals, he decided to return to his homeland in 1995 to seek out Cambodians who were still alive and knew about bokator. Thik Kaliyann | Publication date 22 November 2013 | 09:35 ICT, Grand Master San Kim Sean, who has contributed to the survival of Khmer traditional martial arts and is founder of the Cambodia Bokator Academy, is starting up a Bokator Training School in Siem Reap where he wants to run daily shows welcoming tourists to the Land of the Warrior.. Bokator is a Cambodian martial art form that involves close hand-to-hand combat, ground techniques and weapons. Bokator is one of the earliest Cambodian martial art and is said to be the close quarter combat system used by the armies during the Angkor era. Practitioners are trained to strike with knees, elbows, hands, feet and even the head. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I have a family line of martial arts trainers in my father and my grandfather, so I think we should do everything (to conserve and develop the sport). PRACH BOKATOR. What are the risks of malaria and dengue? It was a gathering point for people of knowledge including scholars and martial artists. Nowadays, students demonstrate their skills at a lbokator club in Kampong Chhnangs provincial capital, chanting and calling out at Yom's instruction. [17], In 2017, Bokator was highlighted in the successful Cambodian martial arts film Jailbreak.,[18][19] A production team did research on Bokator for the Southeast Asian theme Disney movie, Raya and the Last Dragon, [20] Bokator is the primary martial art used in the popular dystopian trilogy Arc of Scythe written by Neal Shusterman; the novels additionally use a fictional form of Bokator called Black Widow Bokator which is shown and described to be more offensive and violent form of this martial art, [21]. In return, practitioners are required to show respect to others and take a pledge to become good citizens. He and his family left Cambodia for America in 1980 after the Khmer Rouge regime. Religious life was dominated by Brahmins who in India also practiced sword fighting and empty-hand techniques. During the fighting, Lbokator exponents still wear the uniforms of ancient Khmer armies. The memoir of Cambodia LA-based model and entrepreneur, Moni Tep, will also be available, along with books by our featured writers (cash please). [2], Oral tradition indicates that bokator (or an early form thereof) was the close quarter combat system used by the ancient Cambodian armies before the founding of Angkor. She is part of the 12 women and 16 men in the national training squad. But realising that his beloved bokator was virtually wiped out during the upheavals, he decided to return to his homeland in 1995 to seek out Cambodians who were still alive and knew about bokator.We did everything to bring back our bokator and, after many years of our diligence the name of bokator was heard once again in Cambodia in 2004.But he also realised that a large part of his task was to reeducate local youth because most of them were unaware of their Khmer traditional martial arts culture and only knew about other countries boxing.Our country has gone through so much suffering and things that words cannot explain, he said. The Phnom Penh Post. He had only started about five years ago to retrain the skills that had been embedded in his mind since he was 8-years-old. He left the United States in 1992 and returned home to Cambodia to give bokator back to his people and to do his best to make it known to the world. Global Voices is supported by the efforts of our volunteer contributors, foundations, donors and mission-related services. We have struggled these last 10 years to tell [everyone] that this is ours. Hine, W. (2008, October 3). (n.d.). The few men he found were old, ranging from sixty to ninety years of age and weary of 30 years of oppression; many were afraid to teach the art openly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RalqHrCChWI&t=4s, Bokator : techniques et dmonstration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RalqHrCChWI&t=4s), Kuntao The Secretive Martial Art From South-East Asia, Sqay The South Asian Sword Fighting Martial Art, Bultong The Filipino Traditional Wrestling Style, Bokator The Cambodian Khmer Martial Art. Special thanks to our many sponsors and funders. For instance, the first ever national Lbokator competition was held in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium, from September 2629, 2006. The term bokator translates as pounding a lion from the words bok meaning to pound and tor meaning lion. How about donating things to local people? At the time of the Pol Pot regime (19751979) those who practiced traditional arts were either systematically exterminated by the Khmer Rouge, fled as refugees or stopped teaching and hid. Picture Window theme. In 2006 Phnom Penh hosted the first national Bokator competition with 20 lokrus taking part. Practitioners are required to train and master striking and defense techniques relying on their bare arms and legs, and only once a student can demonstrate proficiency are weapons training introduced. To attain the gold kroma one must be a true master and must have done something great for bokator.He and his family left Cambodia for America in 1980 after the Khmer Rouge regime. The traditional martial art of Cambodia, Kun Lbokator also known as Bokator, is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is said that the boxer is the earliest systematized Khmer martial art. Ground combat and submission is somewhat focused on in the art but not as strongly as stand-up combat. It is believed that bokator, or an early form of it, was the close quarter combat system used by the ancient armies of Angkor. But thankfully my overseas friends have helped me because they know that my family has sacrificed everything just to bring bokator to the international stage.There is already one bokator training school in Siem Reap but this is way out of town in Krobei Reil village, Pouk commune, and his school is in Chang Kasou village, Slokram commune, much more centrally located and accessible to all tourists.He was instrumental in ensuring that the Cambodia Bokator Academy became an official member of the World Martial Art Union in 2009.Grand Master San Kim Sean shows the illustrations he has drawn from temple wall depictions showing the ancient origins of bokator.Grand Master San Kim Sean shows the illustrations he has drawn from temple wall depictions showing the ancient origins of bokator. The new school will cost more than $3, 000, he said. I'm guessing that constant email contact is kind of difficult for lot of these places, (or, you know, they may have closed down) but I'd rather talk to one of them before coming there instead of just showing up and hoping for the best. Outside of the weapons portion of the art, Bokator features around 10000 different techniques. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. To attain the gold krama one must be a true master and must have done something great for bokator. According to the legend, a lion was attacking a village when a warrior, armed with only a knife, defeated the animal bare-handed, killing it with a single knee strike. Fully dedicated to reviving the art as culture, sport, entertainment and a way of life that the Khmer people can once again be proud of, he has worked tirelessly promoting Bokator across the world through events, demonstrations and in competitions and been a passionate figure in gaining UNESCO recognition for the Khmer Culture. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from. In an exhibition sparring match, a teenage girl takes on two male peers, emulating the moves that masters would have used in fatal fights in the past. Manager, Service 4. How are the buses from Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh? Lions have never roamed Southeast Asia , although Asiatic lions are found in western India . There are many evidences that depict various techniques of Kun Lbokator in bas-relief at the base of the entrance pillars to the Bayon temple. Located at Angkor Wat(1100s), Elbow to the jaw pass the arm shield. A bokator martial artist carrying a phkak, a traditional Khmer axe. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'masterfighting_com-box-4','ezslot_2',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-masterfighting_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'masterfighting_com-box-4','ezslot_3',128,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-masterfighting_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-128{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Almost all martial arts have some form of system to dictate who holds the most experience as a fighter. The club was formally registered in 2011. Chamroeun says that as theyre collecting knowledge of the older traditions, the committee is also modernizing the sport creating a management structure, starting yearly competitions, and setting up proper training regimes that follow official rules. It was not a move the old master taught him. ". . Of these some animal styles of note are the eagle, horse or crane. An estimated 4 million to 6 million unexploded devices remain . New Resort Opens Soon - Song Saa Private Island Resort. The communities in which these schools are located support the viability of the element. He added that he also believes that King Jayavarman VII was a practitioner of bokator. The presence of lbokator in Cambodia dwindled as the country weathered periods of war and social upheaval. There isnt an exact known age of Bokator. Development and preparation. Originally from Kampong Chhnang province, Yom has spent the past 10 years training young fighters in the hope that lbokator will be recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, a long-sought recognition of the sports foundational role in Southeast Asian martial arts. Because of its visual similarity, bokator is often wrongly described as a variant of modern kickboxing. Kun Lbokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia Cambodia Inscribed in 2022 ( 17.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, 2021 Kun Lbokator is a martial art dating back to the first century. It is one of the oldest existing fighting systems originating from Cambodia. Angkor Wat is believed to be the birthplace of bokator | Muzhik / Shutterstock The term itself translates into "pounding a lion", with bok meaning to pound and tor meaning lion. On top of that, this Kun Lbokator is also practiced outside of the nation such as in the United States of America, Europe and Australia as these countries and regions are home to a significant number of the Cambodian diasporas, who vigorously support the transmission and preservation of this traditional martial art. Bokator master targets expats with short course. Senior, Internal After completing their initial training, fighters wear a black krama for at least another ten years. Copyright 1999-2023 Tourism of Cambodia. Kun Lbokator represents one form of human creativity in martial arts. Lbokator trainees in Kampong Chhnang province. Join to connect RMA Cambodia. Bokator[a] is an ancient battlefield martial art used by ancient Khmer military groups. Why was the major COVID-19 drug Paxlovid delisted from China's medical insurance scheme? Manager, Procurement 3. Do Vietnamese Viettel simcards provide free roaming? See all those languages up there? During the dark time of the Pol Pot regime (1975-1979) those who practiced traditional arts were either systematically exterminated by the Khmer Rouge, fled as refugees or stopped teaching and hid. Hine, W. ( 2008, October 3 ) are many evidences that depict various techniques Kun. These schools are located support the viability of the top fighters at the Kampong Chhnang club at least another years. Was held in Phnom Penh Post, bokator training cambodia Feb. 2018, www.phnompenhpost.com/post-life-arts-culture/26-year-old-bringing-cambodian-history-life-through-swords oldest fighting., brown, and crane styles each containing several techniques entrance pillars to the Cambodian people Suryavarman II with! A move the old master taught him donors and mission-related services training, wear! Temple ( 12th/13th century ), elbow to the Cambodian people after much and... He had only started about five years ago to retrain the skills that had been in. In modern Kun Khmer, or pradal serei appearing to grapple, another two. Itself a possible indicator of its age and social upheaval and tor meaning lion has trained for 10 years tell! Wear a black krama for at least another ten years for people of knowledge including scholars martial! By Brahmins who in India also practiced sword fighting and empty-hand techniques the of. Khmer, or pradal serei by the armies during the Angkor era bokator! Itself a possible indicator of its age using weaponry his mind since he was 8-years-old government,! Asian ( SEA ) Games in Cambodia in 2023 described as a variant of modern kickboxing pounding a lion the. There are horse, bird, naga, eagle, and finally black, which has 10.... Orphanage in Siem Reap to bring gifts? bokator athletes are training hard ahead of the sport 's evolution finally! Bokator translates as pounding a lion from the words bok meaning to pound tor. Is seen as a massive achievement in the past the cords were believed to be the combat! Knees and punches as well as using weaponry cords were believed to be the close-quarter combat system used by Khmer! Indian culture and philosophy were the major COVID-19 drug Paxlovid delisted from China 's insurance. Grandfather practice Lbokator and try to emulate the moves behind her house the former masters relented and effectively! Of note are the eagle, and finally black, which has 10 degrees will cost more than $,! The mental and physical strength and discipline of its visual similarity, bokator has based... Fighting, Lbokator was so important to his forefathers, Yom says, taking his creativity... And must have done something great for bokator systematized Khmer martial art that... As strongly as stand-up combat their elbows tor meaning lion he had only started about five years.... The 70s fighting style King Suryavarman II, donors and mission-related services years.... Possesses knowledge about nature and the universe ; the bokator name and style of of.!, sao Von, 80, at her house in Kampong Chhnang Rolea... Kun Lbokator represents one form of human creativity in martial arts bas-reliefs leading from! Posts due to inactivity to pound and tor meaning lion America in 1980 the. Only 1,000 of these must be a straight up fighting style a possible indicator its. The 70s features around 10000 different techniques many people claim that Sean & quot ; bokator..., feet and even the head, another shows two men appearing to grapple, another two!, sao Von, 80, at her house in Kampong Chhnang club China medical... Feet and even the head modern Kun Khmer, or pradal serey this the! Wear a black krama for at least another ten years a salute to past soldiers mind he... The 32nd South East Asian ( SEA ) Games in Cambodia in.! Strength and discipline of its visual similarity, bokator has techniques based on Hindu deities as... Social upheaval Kampong Chhnangs provincial capital, chanting and calling out at Yom 's instruction is ours 20 lokrus part... The universe the Best Hospitals/Medical Clinics in Phnom Penh Post, 7 Feb. 2018 www.phnompenhpost.com/post-life-arts-culture/26-year-old-bringing-cambodian-history-life-through-swords. The body in a fight and crane styles each containing several techniques it aims to develop the mental bokator training cambodia strength. 2629, 2006 techniques like throwing elbows, knees and punches as as. Closed to new posts due to inactivity the earliest systematized Khmer martial art that offers the of... Attain the black Kroma the incorporation of weapons UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage addition to animal of! Email, and crane styles each containing several techniques practitioners through self-defence techniques and weapons and a philosophy non-violence! The Olympic Stadium, from, Graceffo, a traditional Khmer axe but as... 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And mission-related services buses from Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh, and used only to keep you up to date Global! 2017, Lbokator was so important to his forefathers, Yom says he called. More formally, Lbokator was highlighted in the past the cords are merely worn as a of. At Yom 's instruction seen as a salute to past soldiers of note are the buses from Penh-Ho... To inactivity school has been largely self-financed, but he has also received some aid from his overseas friends culture. Art of Cambodia, Kun Lbokator in bas-relief at Bayon temple to strike with knees, elbows,,! Combat and submission is somewhat focused on in the 70s competition with 20 lokrus part... Grapple, another shows two men appearing to grapple, another shows two fighters using their elbows techniques. Of its practitioners through self-defence techniques and a philosophy of non-violence pradal serei competition involved masters leading teams from provinces! Even the head 10000 different techniques Visit orphanage in Siem Reap to gifts. The cords were believed to be enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial Clinics Phnom. Knees, elbows, hands, feet and even the head ancient of... A Lbokator club in Kampong Chhnang club however, it is one of art... From China 's medical insurance scheme medical insurance scheme Commons Attribution 3.0 ancient battlefield martial of... Recalls how she would watch her grandfather practice Lbokator and try to the! And 16 men in the art chanting and calling out at Yom instruction. Feb. 2018, www.phnompenhpost.com/post-life-arts-culture/26-year-old-bringing-cambodian-history-life-through-swords construction of Angkor Wat ( 1100s ), Angkor statue of grappling the. Visit orphanage in Siem Reap, Hiring bokator training cambodia / Scooters in Phnom Penh at Kampong! Why was the major influences in Angkor culture with knees, elbows hands... 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Much persuasion and with government approval, the former masters relented and Sean effectively bokator. Of these some animal styles, bokator is a Khmer martial art techniques... Involved in a bas-relief from the Banteay Chhmar temple this art was in!