Safeguarding a traditional Cambodian music style called “Chapei Dang Veng” is important to the country’s heritage according to Phoeung Sakona, Cambodia’s Minister of Culture and fine arts.

The ancient art form has been recently added to the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Chapei lost its popularity under the former Khmer Rouge regime, which ruled Cambodia during the 1970s.

Very few people practice the art form in the present generation making its disappearance a matter of concern for the government.

Priyanka Shankar reports.

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