HISTORY OF APSARA CLASSICAL DANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA Sunday, October 6, 2024
HISTORY OF APSARA CLASSICAL DANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA 🇰🇭🇰🇭🐉🐉
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Involving a fragment of the Ramayana “the ancient Indian epic”, the Apsara Dance has had its roots in Hindu animism since the 1st century.
During the Angkor era (the reigns of Cambodain King Jayavarman II to VII), this dance took on its own unique form, graceful movements, and deep meaning. By the 13th century, it was the typical Cambodian(Khmer) than the Indian. The images of wanton dancers, adorned with gold headdresses and silken tunics and skirts, were carved on the walls of Angkor Temple and many other temples. Three of of Apsara images were found on the walls of the 12th-century court of King Jayavarman VII.
Over the centuries, classical Khmer dancing lent its influence to the classical ballet of the neighboring countries. Some of its postures and movements are similar to other Southeast Asian dancing. However, Princess Bopha Devi said, “The Khmer kingdom started its cultural tradition in the 6 th century,700 years before Thailand"
Base on Khmer mythology on base -relief on the walls of the ANGKOR Wat temple,all of APSARAS dancers "heavenly beings" and Assura (demons) churned the ocean of milk with the gigantic Naga in search for the exlixir of immorality.
This dance portrays mera dressed in white for purity, dancing in her garden. She is accompanied by her handmaidens "Apsaras" they all produce flowers expressing great love of the people and the country.
The APSARAS dance Is deemed to a main part of the Royal Ballet of CAMBODIA.