Why Mekhala

Our name comes from Moni Mekhala, goddess of the waters in a Cambodian legend that is still danced at the Royal Palace to call the rains. This short film tells her story.

Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso. 61 seconds, no dialogue, sound on. Painted in the style of the Royal Palace murals and animated in code: an interpretation of the legend, not a recording of the classical dance.

The story of lightning, thunder and rain

The hermit Lok Ta Moni Eysei had three pupils: Moni Mekhala, goddess of the waters; Ream Eyso, a storm giant; and Vorachhun, a prince of the earth. He promised a crystal ball to whoever first brought him a cup of morning dew.

Moni Mekhala laid her scarf on the grass overnight. At dawn she wrung the dew from it into the cup, and she won the crystal ball. Ream Eyso received a diamond axe, and Vorachhun a dagger.

Ream Eyso wanted the crystal ball for himself. On his way to take it he killed Vorachhun, then found Moni Mekhala in the sky. She tossed the ball into the air, and its flash blinded him: lightning. He hurled his axe and missed: thunder. The storm broke, and the first rain brought Vorachhun back to life.

The chase has no end. Each year, as the dry season gives way to the monsoon around Khmer New Year, Cambodians see it in the storms that return the rain to the rice fields. The story is performed as Robam Moni Mekhala, part of the royal rain-calling ceremony known as buong suong.

Why we carry her name

Moni Mekhala did not win by strength. She won by method: she patiently gathered what was already there, and turned it into light that could fill a sky.

That is the work we do. Our research gathers the evidence, and our storytelling makes it carry. The dancer in our badge is Moni Mekhala, holding the crystal ball as it radiates: the Radiant in our name.

Evidence first. Story, always.

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