al DanceCambodian classical dance was derived from Indian court dance, which traces its origins to the Apsarases of Hindu mythology. In this form of dance female nymphs were born to dance for the gods. It plays an important role in Cambodian culture. This dance arrived Cambodia ten centuries ago.
In the Angkor period, this classical dance has been associated with the Royal Court of Cambodia, and it was supported by the kings. Example, during Jayavarraman VII's reign, he ordered to build many temples, such as Prasat Prakhan, Taprum, Bayon etc. He let all dancers and musicians living in those temples, and he also accepted all dancers' families living with their wives, husbands, or mothers. He regarded all dancers as the heart of Cambodian culture. Moreover, he gave a lot of money, jewellery, clothes, and food to them. As the evidence showed, this form of classical dance was carved on the walls of many temples. The kings ordered to carve all the stories and gestures that related to this dance.
From the sixteenth century to 1970, this form of a beautiful dance form was still regarded as a very important dance in Cambodia. This beautiful dance was not used in normal parties, ceremonies, or celebrations, but it was accepted only in special events, especially in the Royal Palace.
Traditionally, most dancers were trained from childhood in the Royal palace and known as the Royal Cambodian Ballet. As a boy and girl, they were selected to train in the Royal Palace or school. They must dance everyday. During the training, they could be punished if they could not dance perfectly. Children who were accepted into the court came from all classes of society, especially the princes or princesses. They must practice all the plays, songs, pieces of music that performers have performed.
In the classical Cambodian dance, women dressed in brightly coloured costumes with elaborated headdress, performed slow, graceful movements, elegant gestures (Kbach) accompanied by a percussive ensemble known as the Pinpeat. The Pinpeat orchestras included drums, gongs, and bamboo xylophones played an important role in Cambodian Classical Dance because it told the dancers to start or to slow down.
Plays performed by actors wearing masks are very popular in Cambodia. Slow plays perform using leather puppets that enact scenes from the Reamker, are also popular. These actors are known as Ravana and Hanouman. . Dramas concerning the Buddha have also been staged since the twelfth century. This beautiful dance form embodies the historical traditions and values of Khmer throughout the world.
From 1975 to 1979, some musicians and artisans were killed, but some dancers
and musicians escaped from Cambodia. They went to foreign countries. Fortunately, some dancers and musicians who went abroad came back Cambodia and taught Cambodian children in refugee camps in Thailand. Moreover this beautiful dance is kept alive today and taught once again at the University of Fine Art, Phnom Penh. It is a gentle art form of the classical dance and a symbol of Cambodian culture.
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