Polpot took control of Cambodia in 1975and began to systematically remove all forms of personal, religious and artistic expression from society. Many eminent singers and dancers were put to death. It is likely that most of the classical dances were lost forever as they were not documented. It is a miracle that any of Cambodia’s classical dances has survived at all.
But Khmer classical dance was fortunately saved by a small group of dancers who fled to Thailand and made a great escapade.
In the refugee camps, the artistes rekindled their passion for dance by practising the art form which has been passed on to posterity. There are other dancers who fled to USA and practised the art. In Cambodia, the royal ballet was also revived and is now a crowd-puller.
Apsara - the heavenly dance - is the generic term for Khmer classical dance. Many of the orphanages in the country now teach this dance form.
Classical dance traditionally contained four characters - males, females, monkeys and ogres. The characters were drawn from legends and Hindu epics like the Ramayana called Reamkeh in Khmer.
Its dance version also contains four main characters. It is also strewn with beasts, Garuda, giants, hermits, monkeys and mermaids.
Reamkeh is the most important story in Khmer history. Hanuman, Rama’s friend, is the most loved character in Cambodia.
Monkeys’ roles are generally performed by males as they requires extreme athleticism.
Their dance costumes are striking and colorful. Sarongs, tunics, ornate tiaras and armlets are the principal outfits. The combination of music, dress and graceful movements are hypnotic. Royal and divine characters are spotted by the tall spire-like head gear .The music that accompanies the dance is an aural treat. The dancers are trained to dance in sync with the background music.
King Sihanouk followed his mother by patronising classical dance. His daughter is a trained dancer and a promoter of this rich art form.
Polpot took control of Cambodia in 1975and began to systematically remove all forms of personal, religious and artistic expression from society. Many eminent singers and dancers were put to death. It is likely that most of the classical dances were lost forever as they were not documented. It is a miracle that any of Cambodia’s classical dances has survived at all.
Apsara - the heavenly dance - is the generic term for Khmer classical dance. Many of the orphanages in the country now teach this dance form.
Their dance costumes are striking and colorful. Sarongs, tunics, ornate tiaras and armlets are the principal outfits. The combination of music, dress and graceful movements are hypnotic. Royal and divine characters are spotted by the tall spire-like head gear .The music that accompanies the dance is an aural treat. The dancers are trained to dance in sync with the background music.
