Music of Laos

King Fa Ngum was raised and educated in Angkor Wat, so the Khmer traditions were the first center for the court music, which evolved and changed as the Lao kingdom grew and prospered in the golden age.

It was considered as "elitist, bourgeoisie" and forbidden by the communist government, and the last performers in Tennessee, USA tried to rebuild the court music in diaspora but failed due to a lack of members.

It often features the khaen (Lao: ແຄນ) (bamboo and reed mouth organ) and jousting pairs of singers, backed by colorful troupes, who improvise stories and courting duels.

Music varies widely across Laos, with the lam saravane style being most popular, while the city of Luang Prabang is known for a slow form called khaplam wai.

Unfortunately, most of the instruments are collecting dust in the royal museum, but showpieces like bronze drums of the Dong Son age show the influence of ethnic minorities which were often from the mountainous areas.