The Royal University of Fine Arts
A Grandfather Giant
The Reamker: Excerpt from the Scene “Machanup”
Scene Opening
• (Action: The performers bow together to honor their teacher and recite sacred verses) - 5 minutes.
• (Music: Sathuka melody, played three times).
• (Music: Jeut melody starts).
Announcement of the Play:
“We proudly present the dramatic performance of The Reamker, featuring the excerpt titled Machanup.”
Act 1, Scene 1
• (Music: Pheak Thom melody accompanies the dance of the army).
• (Music: Samay melody begins as Hanuman inspects).
Hanuman’s Chant:
“There flies the buffalo—a female buffalo of Hanuman,
When he arrived near the great ocean,
Hanuman pondered in his heart,
To find out the cause of the missing stones from the bridge.”
Chorus:
“The female buffalo of Hanuman reached the vast ocean.
The King devised a plan to uncover the cause—
To determine why the stones vanished from the bridge,
And fulfill his intentions.”
• (Music: Jeut Chheung melody)
(Action: Monkeys transport stones).
(Action: Sea creatures remove stones; Hanuman notices and follows).
Act 1, Scene 2
• (Music: Jeut Chheung melody)
(Action: Sovann Machha swims in to observe the army).
(Action: Soldiers report the situation).
Chant:
“There stands Sovann Machha, the noble princess,
Daughter of beauty and grace,
Ruler of the undersea kingdom,
Surrounded by her entire army,
Leading her forces to defend the realm of the underworld.”
Chorus:
“Sovann Machha, upon hearing from her soldiers
Of strange and marvelous events—
Humans trespassing upon her waters,
Building floating bridges across the ocean,
Encroaching upon her kingdom without permission—
She immediately decided to mobilize her troops
To guard every corner of her domain.”
• (Music: Kraonak melody)
(Action: Sovann Machha organizes her troops).
(Music: Jeut Chheung melody resumes).
(Action: Sovann Machha commands her soldiers to guard carefully, dividing them into two groups to patrol and transport stones).
Act 2, Scene 1
(Music: Jeut Chheung melody continues).
(Action: Hanuman sneaks in to observe).
Chant:
“There stands Sovann Machha, the noble princess,
Daughter of beauty and grace,
Ruler of the undersea kingdom,
Surrounded by her entire army,
Leading her forces to defend the realm of the underworld.”
Chorus:
“Sovann Machha, upon hearing from her soldiers
Of strange and marvelous events—
Humans trespassing upon her waters,
Building floating bridges across the ocean,
Encroaching upon her kingdom without permission—
She immediately decided to mobilize her troops
To guard every corner of her domain.”
• (Music: Kraonak melody)
(Action: Sovann Machha organizes her forces).
(Music: Jeut Chheung melody resumes).
(Action: Sovann Machha commands her soldiers to guard carefully and divide into two groups to patrol and transport stones).
Battle Between Hanuman and Sovann Machha
(Action: Hanuman swims into the sea, noticing the sea creatures in chaos).
(Action: Hanuman confronts the creatures and battles them).
(Action: Hanuman encounters Sovann Machha; they clash, then speak).
Sovann Machha (dialogue):
“Hey! Reckless monkey!
How dare you intrude into my land
And disrupt my waters so boldly?
Do you not fear the loss of your life?”
Hanuman (dialogue):
“Stop your anger, Sovann Machha,
Golden mermaid of radiant beauty.
I come not as an enemy but on a mission.
Lord Rama seeks the cause
Of the missing stones from his bridge.
Though I planned to destroy my foes,
Meeting you has captured my heart.
Grant your kindness and support Lord Rama’s cause.”
Sovann Machha (dialogue):
“Cease your flattery, monkey!
I shall not be swayed by your words.
Do you think I would aid you
And betray my realm? Never!”
(Action: Hanuman and Sovann Machha engage in a skirmish; she transforms into her graceful form).
(Hanuman explains the mission, displaying the power of the sun to prove his sincerity).
Sovann Machha’s Lament
(Sovann Machha reflects on her conflict).
Sovann Machha’s Monologue:
“Never did I think I’d meet my father,
Only to find him as my enemy.
What path shall I take now?
On one hand, my duty as a daughter,
On the other, my loyalty to justice.
How can I balance these two?
Let me choose peace to avoid blame
And walk away to preserve harmony.
I leave my actions to fate.”
(Music softens).
(Action: Sovann Machha exits with her soldiers).
Closing Scene
(All performers return for a final dance, celebrating peace and harmony).
Music fades out as the play concludes.
End.