Cambodia: Apsara Sunset |  |
Cambodia: Apsara Sunset | |
The Apsara dancer is one of Cambodia's enduring cultural symbols. Many young girls receive training in classical Khmer dance; similarly, boys learn to be masked pantomimes and acrobats. On this particular day, we were lucky enough to stumble upon a free performance in front of Angkor Wat.
Listen to the performance! If you have RealAudio on your computer, you can listen to the music performed during the dance.
Above Picture: One of the older Apsara dancers kneels to the ground near the climax of a petal dance. Note the plate of flower petals in front of her.
| Getting ready for the performance. The Apsara costumes have barely changed over the centuries; if you look at some of the bas-reliefs carved throughout Angkor, you'll see images of Apsaras that are practically spitting images of these young women. |
| The preparation continues. Susanne managed to get this nice closeup. We can only imagine what it feels like to wear face paint in 90 degree weather. | 
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| The petal dance begins. The Apsaras manage to balance the bowl of flowers in one hand without dropping a single petal. RealAudio file: The Petal Dance |
| A delicate balancing act. This particular pose is quite common in the bas reliefs around Angkor.. | 
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| At the end of the petal dance, the Apsaras throw the petals out to the audience. The petals serve as a welcoming to the audience, as well as a blessing. |
| Susanne took this picture with her wide angle lens. In the background there's a good view of Angkor Wat and the stone causeway that leads to it. | 
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of Cambodia of Laos of Thailand |
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