Click here to discuss about Bosba Panh. On December 26, 2006, while I was having dinner together with my family, watching CTN’s Sunday Music Concert, her name was announced by the host. We didn’t pay attention at first, thinking that it was just another singer. Then, a pretty and very young girl came on to the stage and started to sing a song which we all first couldn’t understand though we knew it was beautiful. Everybody stopped eating and watched her. Still holding the spoon, I asked myself, “Hmmm…is she Khmer? I know her name is Khmer, she looks like Khmer, but I can’t understand what she is signing?” But then, wait a minute. I understood her. After I listened to her awhile, I began to pick up. She was signing in Khmer and then I remembered her. I saw her once on one other CTN’s show in the past.

That is BosbaPANH signing Phnom Heampean song at the time. “BosbaPANH was born in 1997 from an educated Cambodian family. She has two brothers, 15 and 6. She is the niece of the famous film-maker, PANH Rithy, whose films have been awarded international recognition and prizes at leading cinema competitions such as the Cannes Festival in France and the Mostra of Venice, Italy. His most famous documentary is “S-21, the war machine.

BosbaPANH started her guitar lessons when she was 7 and in less than three months she was able to play “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles. A year after, she started her singing lessons and Khmer traditional dance “Robam Preah Reach Troab” or dance from the Royal Palace. Bosba's singing ability was discovered when she met with a soprano singing teacher in China who judged her voice to be the quality of a coloratura soprano and concluded that "Bosba is born to sing".

Besides her passion for music and doing well in school, BosbaPANH also practices judo and swimming. To develop her breathing capacity, BosbaPANH plays sports daily and is coached by national champions. She also takes care every morning of her domestic animals such as her birds, dog or duck. She even finds time to read one or two books a week, and even finished reading an entire dictionary. BosbaPANH is living in French, Khmer, Lao and Thai cultures. She travels extensively and has relatives and friends in these countries. This has influenced the musical style of the band which blends music from the Mekong Region as well as western songs. Already she is singing in French, Khmer, Lao, Thai, Malay and Japanese.” The excerpt of her biography above was used with permission from BosbaPANH team.

Though she is only 10, BosbaPANH has been rising recently and her beautiful and unique voice has been well recognized by those who get to hear her singing. King Father Samdech Ta Tuot Norodom Sihanouk, King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, just to name a few, had issued statements complementing her voice, singing ability and talent. She does not only sings but also plays quitar and dance beautifully. Phnom Heamapean, Sakrava, Phnom Penh and Tube Bey Sorsay, Phleng Cheewit are some of her songs. At the age of 9, she had released her first album with some songs written by King Father Samdech Ta Tuot Norodom Sihanouk. A little later, she released another album called “Hemapean” (Himalays). The title of the album says it all – her album was created to appreciate the manificance of the great nature - Phnom Hemapean. She has then appeared in many TV shows and programs. Now, BosbaPANH is being written up by Angkorthom.US, a USA based Khmer community web portal.

Unlike many other Khmer singers who went through hardships and poverty before they become famous, BosbaPANH is lucky to have great supports from her relatives and her friends. For, example, La Compagnie BosbaPANH comprised of her relatives and friends was formed in September 2005 to bring her talent and beautiful voice to the world. PANH Lauv, 6 years old – Flute her the younger brother, Sibxynapan - Piano 15, is her elder brother, CHEY Vattana - flute, arrangements - Age 26, CHAN Kiri – guitar, Kiri, age 23, NAM Narath – singer, HUY Sreang, MAO Samnang – violin, Age 27, UY Thach – violin, RONG Sareyvann – piano and RONG Séreyvuth - bass guitar are the members of La Compagnie BosbaPANH.

Back to the CTN’s Sunday Music Concert, she finished her song with a very high and very beautiful pitch. I then realized I was still holding the spoon and I had to drop it so I could give her a big round of appause together with her audience on the TV. After that, I remembered her voice and was wondering how I would be able to get more information about her. Later I ran into her Compagnie BosbaPANH website and got connected with her support team, hence this article being written.

I have been lucky enough to listen to many singers – old or young, outside of the country and inside and have been searching for a beautify voice and unique of a Khmer female singer. Most of Khmer singers have a beautiful voice nonetheless it is most likely a typical one. Though It Srey Pin’s voice is unique, but she is second after Im Srey Pov. BosbaPANH’s voice seems to be the type of a unique and beautiful one which later in her career will be recognized and picked up by her key audience. Though I agree that BosbaPANH’s voice is more mature than her age and she incredibly modulates her voice so beautifully and gracefully at this point, I believe her voice will be even more graceful and beautiful when she is in her youth.

With her ability to be trained, speak different languages, and have a strong support group, coupled with her intelligence, talents, determination and self-despline, I personally have no doubt that BosbaPANH will not only be famous in the Khmer musical world but also at the international level. Angkorthom.US is delighted to write this article about her and wishes BosbaPANH the best of luck in her career endeavor.

Click here to discuss about Bosba Panh.

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Sakrava by Bosba Panh

Bongawann Solo by Bosba Panh

Toub Bei Sor Sey by Bosba Panh

Bompe by Bosba Panh

Hemapean Atitep by Bosba Panh

Phnom Penh by Bosba Panh

Read more information about her and listen to her songs on La Compagnie BosbaPANH website here.