Dancing in Cambodia, at Large in Burma

This volume consists of three pieces by Amitav Ghosh. The first, 'Dancing in Cambodia', begins with a deft evocation of the first ever visit to Europe by a troupe of Cambodian dancers, in 1906. Their performances in Marseilles and Paris were received ecstatically, and inspired Rodin to do a series of celebrated sketches. "When they left ... I thought they had taken away the beauty of the world' wrote Rodin.In 1993 The Author visited Cambodia, a land ravaged by the 'Pol Pot years' from 1975 to 1978 and which has been in almost ceaseless turmoil thereafter. Amongst other things, he met members of Pol Pot's Family and travelled to the village where he was born. Amitav Ghosh's insights into Pol Pot's background, the impact of his brutal regime, and the importance of Dance in Cambodia even when the Country was reduced to near destitution, provide us an illuminating and deeply moving account.The second piece, 'Stories in Stones', focuses on Angkor Wat and what it Means to, and symbolizes for, Cambodians and, indeed, others. Angkor Wat is 'awash in stories', old and new, and not only those depicted in its magnificent bas-reliefs. Amitav Ghosh uncovers two more stories and here, too, the shadow of the 'Pol Pot years' is evident.The author visited Burma twice in 1995-6 and the last piece in this volume, 'At Large in Burma, brings alive the recent History of that country, from the Death of Aung San in 1947 to his daughter Suu Kyi's current struggle for the restoration of Democracy in Burma. Apart from interviewing Suu Kyi more than once the author travelled to the jungle camps of the Karenni insurgents and provides a rare Picture of their life.The entire book is a masterpiece of Travel and interpretative writing.