History of Traditional Apsara Dance Show
In the 1940s, Queen Sisowath Kossomak Nearirath Serey Vatthana, the wife of King Norodom Suramarit, was sent an invitation to Sothearath primary school, seeing the schoolmistress prepared an inspirational Angkor Apsara dance which is performed by young school in the paper Apsara costume includes Crown, Sampot and Flower, all referencing Apsara represented at Angkor Wat. The Queen got the idea to re-create the dance and led her first granddaughter, Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, a daughter of Norodom Sihanouk, to become the first professional Apsara dancer of the modern era. The Princess started practicing the dance since she was 5 years old and danced Apsara for the first time during King Norodom Sihanouk's tenure.
In 1967, the fine-boned young princess, clad in silk and glittering jewels, performed beneath the stars on the open pavilion within the palace walls, accompanied by the royal dance troupe and the "pinpeat" orchestra. Selected by her grandmother, Queen Sisowath Kossomak, to become a dancer when she was only a baby. She toured the world as the principal dancer of the Apsara role.
During the Angkorian era, dance performances were enjoyed by kings and common people alike. The dances are perhaps better described as 'dance-dramas' as they also convey a story or message which also can be found portrayed in several places in the Angkor temples. It has played an important role in the Khmer cultural heritage, but like many other Cambodian cultural traditions, Apsara dancing and other traditional Khmer dances were almost destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Due to the increased interest for Cambodian culture and, in large part the extraordinary efforts of Her Excellency Princess Bopha Devi, the ancient art form has seen a great revival, and today you will find many places with regular shows and performances in Siem Reap and Cambodia.
Types of Apsara Dancing
Most dance performances in Siem Reap offer a mixture of Classical and Theatrical Folk dances. A few venues offer Shadow Theater. Many of the dance performances in Siem Reap consist of 4-6 individual dances, often opening with an Apsara Dance, followed by two other Classical dances and two or three Theatrical Folk dances. The Apsara Dance is a Classical dance inspired by the apsara carvings and sculptures of Angkor and developed in the late 1940s by Queen Sisowath Kossamak.
Classical Dance
The classical dance is known for the arched backs, feet and hands. The dancers make slow and feather light movements. They wear traditional Khmer clothing and have a graceful appearance. The classical dance usually presents a story of the ancient Angkor period.
The central character of the dance, the Apsara Mera, leads her coterie of Apsaras through a flower garden where they partake of the beauty of the garden. The movements of the dance are distinctly Classical yet, as the dance was developed for theatrical presentation, it is shorter and a bit more relaxed and flowing than most Classical dances, making it both an excellent example of the movements, manner and spirit of Classical dance and at the same time particularly accessible to a modern audience unaccustomed to the style and stories of Khmer dance-drama.
Folk Dance
The Folk Dance is usually performed during celebrations and holidays. It depicts a particular ritual and is often inspired by scenes from the countryside. Popular dances are the Good Harvest Dance and the Romantic Fishing Dance.
Shadow Puppet Theater
There are two different kinds of the Shadow Puppet Theater. The Sbek Thom presents stories of the Reamker, a traditional epic poem. The Sbeik Touch displays heroes, love and battle stories. In both forms, the story is depicted to the audience by moving silhouettes or shadows on a large white screen. The silhouette effect is created by puppets that are held and moved around behind the screen and in front of a light.
Apsara Dance Performances in Siem Reap
There are several Siem Reap venues where you can attend an Apsara performance, depicting a few of the traditional Khmer dances. Usually, these shows are offered as a package combining a (buffet) dinner and a dance spectacle. Some restaurants offer the show for free to their customers. Make a reservation if you want a seat close to the stage. Also, make sure to call the venue of your choice to make sure there are no changes in the show’s schedule.