Today, I feel happy
Seeing all the flowers blooming in the garden.
I am going to arrange some bouquets
And keep them next to me.
If you’d like,
I will give you this one.
Gathering around the garden with all the attendants
Enjoying the view in pairs.
The attendants pick flowers for the lady
Taking her pleasure in the garden.
Leaves are falling off trees
Makes my heart ache.
Thread thkol* in tassels,
While rumduol* are for body chains.
All the ladies are beautiful and full of grace,
And are loved by every man.
This piece is from the ballet The Legend of Apsara Mera. Apsaras are celestial dancers born from The Churning of the Ocean of Milk. According to one of the two Khmer creation myths, among the many apsaras, one was called Mera, who was of utmost beauty and grace. Lord Shiva married her off to the self-born sage Kambu Swayambhuva. And from their union sprung the Khmer race.
Footnotes:
Thkol is bullet wood (mimusop elengi).
Rumduol is the beloved bloom of the Khmer people.
