Flower Dance (ផ្ការាំ) is a Cambodian folk song about the movement of the flowers floating in a lake. Vocals are performed by composer, singer, and musician Yorn Young. The music video, crafted with young viewers in mind, was created by Andrew Benincasa, who mixed his visual style with Cambodia’s history of shadow puppetry.
This modern take on the tale was produced by Elena Moon Park and Rob Friedman for Unhurried Journey, “an album of songs for all ages that celebrates the beauty of taking our time to appreciate every moment of our individual and collective journeys.” In an email with TKSST, Park explains:
“This is a Cambodian folk song that I re-imagined & arranged with an added section in English. I learned it from my friend Yorn Young, a vocalist who I met through the OneBeat global music diplomacy program that my nonprofit, Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation, leads. I was participating in a second exchange program with Yorn in Singapore when he shared this song with me. I was immediately drawn to the catchiness and joy of the song, and felt that it would fit so well with a folky, fiddling style.
“I also love the topic of the song, how flowers grow and actually dance, and how we can dance along, learning from them along the way. On the site, Yorn teaches some Cambodian hand motions for dancing along to the song, and those motions celebrate a cycle of life: growing, blooming, falling. I love that Andrew’s joyous video hints at a cycle as well.”
The collection of songs on the album, “with influences ranging from Mexico to Indonesia to [Park’s] own diverse roots,” weaves together an unfinished story of a journey. There are also activities that go with each song.
Previously from Park and team on TKSST: Diu Diu Deng, a Taiwanese folk song animated.
Previously from Benincasa for Harvard’s Fundamentals of Neuroscience open online course: Odyssey of the Ear, an animated tale of sound.
FAQs
In Cambodia, it symbolizes the movement of flowers in the lake and how they are able to dance, while inviting us to dance with them. On the other hand, in Vietnam it is known as “dâng hoa” and is practiced in cultural or religious events.
Where is the song Flower Dance from? ›
Flower Dance (ផ្ការាំ) is a Cambodian folk song about the movement of the flowers floating in a lake. Vocals are performed by composer, singer, and musician Yorn Young.
Why is the song Mo Li Hua important? ›
The song became one of the first Chinese folk songs to become widely known outside China. In 1896 the song was used as temporary national anthem by the Qing Chinese officials in Europe. The melody has become well known among Western listeners as it was used by Giacomo Puccini in his opera Turandot (1926), boy choir air ...
What is the point of flower dance? ›
Dancing with an NPC will increase friendship with your partner by 1 heart (250 points). In a multiplayer game, players may also dance with each other.
What is the symbol of Cambodian flower? ›
Romduol became Cambodia's national flower in 2005. With a yellowish-white flower and a single alternate leaf, the plant reaches a height of 8 to 12 metres, and bears edible fruit. Romduol can be found almost everywhere in Cambodia.
How many hearts does the flower dance have? ›
In order to ask someone to dance, the player's friendship level in Stardew Valley with said person must be at least four hearts. Since the Flower Dance takes place in Spring, there's a real chance that the player may not have reached that level with anyone yet in Year 1, and will have to sit out as a result.
Does the flower dance give you hearts? ›
Dancing with a partner increases your relationship with them by 1 Heart. If you are married, you can ask someone other than your spouse to dance, but your spouse may become jealous as a result.
What is the flower dance called? ›
Pendet is typically performed by young girls, carrying bowls of flower petals, handfuls of which are cast into the air at various times in the dance. Pendet can be thought of as a dance of greeting, to welcome the audience and invite spirits to enjoy a performance.
What does Mo Li Hua mean? ›
Mo Li Hua (Chinese: 茉莉花; pinyin: Mòlìhuā or Mòlihuā; lit. 'Jasmine Flower') is a popular Chinese folk song from the Jiangnan region. The song dates back to the 18th century. Over time, many regional variations were created, and the song gained popularity both in China and abroad.
Is jasmine a plant or flower? ›
jasmine, (genus Jasminum), genus of about 200 species of fragrant-flowered shrubs and vines of the olive family (Oleaceae). The plants are native to tropical and to some temperate areas of the Old World.
The jasmine flower typically has branches that ascend without tendrils. The tubular, pinwheel-shaped flowers are white, yellow, or very infrequently pink. Some double-flowered variations have been created. Although some species have simple leaves, most evergreen or deciduous leaves are made up of two or more leaflets.
What does the Flower Festival symbolize? ›
The Flower Festival was created mainly to honor the growing floral industry in Colombia. As well as flowers themselves, because they are seen as a tribute to women, to fertility, and life itself.
What does the lotus flower mean in Cambodia? ›
Lotus is a sacred flower which Cambodian chose to use for praying to God since ancient time for both Buddhism and Hinduism. Lotus symbolizes the beauty, prosperity, fertility, purity and harmony of mind and spirit. People praying with lotus flower comparing to their honest prayers and pure belief in God.
What is the significance of the lotus flower in Cambodia? ›
The flower is one of the most abundant species in the country, naturally taking root in lakes, rivers, ponds, and even roadside ditches. Where it does not grow, Cambodians who love the pink and white blooms plant them. When the lotus flower blooms above murky waters, it is said to symbolize enlightenment and purity.
What is the meaning of Flower Festival? ›
The Flower Festival started in 1995 to help Baguio City heal after a massive earthquake in 1990. "Panagbenga" means "season of blooming" in the Kankanaey dialect and symbolizes the city's strong community spirit. Now, it's Baguio's biggest event, drawing large crowds every year.
