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Cambodian Apsara Dance: A Complete Guide

Inspired by the reliefs of Angkor and newly choreographed in the 20th century, Apsara is Cambodia's royal dance. Here are the essentials for understanding its history and form.

What Is Apsara Dance

One of the signature dances of the Khmer royal ballet (Robam Preah Reach Trop), depicting the graceful movements of female dancers portraying apsaras, the celestial nymphs of Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

Its Connection to the Angkor Reliefs

Thousands of intricate reliefs depicting apsaras survive at Khmer temple sites, including Angkor Wat. It's worth noting that the Apsara dance performed today is a stage art newly choreographed in the 20th century, drawing inspiration from the poses and ornamentation seen in these ancient reliefs.

20th-Century Reconstruction Under Queen Kossamak

The "Apsara dance" repertoire widely known today is understood to have been newly choreographed and refined between the 1940s and 1960s under the direction of Queen Sisowath Kossamak, drawing on poses from the Angkor reliefs. In other words, its subject matter has ancient roots, but the performance in its current form was established relatively recently.

Disruption and Revival After the Khmer Rouge

During Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s, many royal dancers and teachers were killed, causing a major rupture in Cambodia's royal dance tradition. The small number of surviving dancers later rebuilt the choreography and technique from memory, allowing the tradition to continue to this day.

Intricate Finger and Wrist Expression

Apsara dance is defined by its distinctive backward-curving finger gestures and supple wrist movements. Dancers begin training from childhood over many years to develop the joint flexibility needed to perform these movements naturally.

Traditional Costume and Crown

An ornate gilded crown and necklace, paired with a fitted traditional silk costume, are iconic elements of Apsara dance. Every piece of costume and ornament is designed with the intent of recreating the appearance of apsaras seen in the Angkor reliefs.

Where an Ancient Relief Meets a Modern Stage

The key thing to understand about Apsara dance is that while the image of the apsara in the Angkor reliefs is centuries old, the performance form we recognize as "Apsara dance" today was newly choreographed in the mid-20th century. As a piece of modern art reconstructed from ancient imagery, it's a striking example of how tradition can be creatively reinterpreted across eras.

A Tradition That Survived Disruption

Cambodia's royal dance tradition faced near-extinction after losing many dancers and teachers under Khmer Rouge rule, but it was restored through the dedicated efforts of the dancers who survived. That history of reconstruction gives Apsara dance a meaning that goes beyond aesthetics -- it stands as a symbol of cultural resilience for Cambodians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Apsara dance been performed continuously since the Angkor era?

The apsara imagery it draws on has roots in Angkor-era reliefs, but the Apsara dance performed today is understood to have been newly composed in the mid-20th century under the direction of Queen Sisowath Kossamak. It's most accurate to think of it as a modern choreography built on ancient imagery.

Why do dancers bend their fingers back in such a striking way?

It's Apsara dance's signature hand gesture, achievable only after years of training from childhood to build joint flexibility. The gesture is meant to recreate the poses of apsaras seen in the Angkor reliefs.