Mao Sareth was a former Khmer singer descended from Battambang Province. She was born in 1944 in Battambang District (Thmar Kol District now), Battambang Province. Her birth name was Pol Sarann; later changed to Mao Sareth being well-known in singing for public. Her voice was very long and big enough to sing the high voice songs being popular among Khmer people from 1950s to present. During her interview with Huy Meas, she said she had three sisters; both of her older sisters had no talent for singing. However, her grandfather on her father side was a Yike traditional performer while her grandmother was an ancient Roneat player; her mother was a traditional dancer. She likes wearing blue and black cloth. In her freetime, she likes reading the emotional novels. There is no information about how she went to Phnom Penh becoming first generation 1950s Female singer in Cambodia. Being a famous singer since 1959, she sang around 300 songs until the fall of Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. Her colleagues were Chhun Vanna, Chuob Saroeurn, Koy Sareum, So Savoeurn, Mom Marath, Chhuon Malai, Seang Dy, etc. Singing for public, she became a model for Ros Sereysothea unconsciously in singing since Ros Sereysothea likes to sing her songs and usually followed her singing style. Her first hit songs in 1959 were “Samrek Tonaha” and “Ktom Chourea” written by Yang Chheang, called Samneang Rithy. Taking this career, she chose Wat Phnom Production to record her album for public. She also sang with Sin Sisamut in Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime for the Prince Norodom Shihanouk like “Tasena Krong Phnom Penh” with video over new development of Phnom Penh. Other famous songs of her were “Mek Khmao Ngo Ngith”, “Sambot Krom Kneuy”, “Teuk Chruos Buor Sra”, etc. In Lon Nol Regime (March 18, 1970-April 17, 1975), she attended the army singing group for Soldier's Voice Radio (Vithyou Samleng Yuthachun) to encourage the soldiers. In 1974, she was interviewed by HUY Meas at national radio in Phnom Penh. On April 17, 1975 she was forced to leave Phnom Penh for countryside as other citizens in Phnom Penh and killed later in the following year. No one knows how she lived in this regime and the death of her. She might be forced to work hardly in the field and found out by Khmer Rouge officer that she was a famous singer which was a target to death in that regime as other singers like Huy Meas, Ros Sereysothea, Sin Sisamut, Pen Rorn, and so on.
By: POK Panhavuth
