Recalling Sita

Ramakerti is a Khmer version of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. There are two Khmer

versions. The first version, Ramakerti I, was composed in the 15th and 16th centuries.

This early version included the story of Hanuman and Mermaid Sovan Macha.
Ramakerti II, also written as Reamker, was composed sometime in the

18th century. This second version featured the story of Ravana’s previous life:
The Yaksha with the Magic Finger.  

I recall your hair, black and thick,

And you, your arms up round it,

Braiding it with flowers,

Adding further garlands,

All kinds of flowers round it.

I recall your forehead

Shining like the gold of a candle holder,

Like the full moon

Whose brilliance is visible to the whole world.

Pan cam kesi pi khmau nap

Pun krasop cap can nuv phka

Kaem cuot pruot mala

As phka saraboe bhni

Pan cam na thnas

Pi tuc babil mas man nai rasmi

Tuc brah candr ben ta purnami

Lok yal banli krai

Stanzas 1758 and 1759 of Ramakerti I (15th-16th centuries)

Composed in Pad Bol (Narrating Metre)

Transliteration by Judith M. Jacob