Apsara: Celestial Dancers

Apsara, which in Sanskrit translates into "celestial dancers," is a classical Cambodian dance performed by Cambodian women to welcome the gods. These classical dancers can trace their art to the Apsara carvings, which are featured by the thousands in the galleries and on the walls of the hundreds of ancient temples of Cambodia. Carved representations of the Apsara dancers, the "divine symbol of happiness," are prominently displayed on and in the collection of Hindu temples at Angkor Wat, built by the Khymer empire (circa 900 - 1500 A.D).

The dancers fashioned in stone were depicted in the heavens, dancing for the Gods. One legend often represented in these carvings is the story of how the Apsara came into being during the Great Churning of the Sea of Milk. Once created, the Apsara taught dance to a troupe of earthbound women. Their earthly counterparts - dancers of the Kingdom of Cambodia - have for centuries been linked both to religious beliefs and the monarchy.

In the classical age, Apsara dancers were essential members of the community, and were appointed along with priests, monks, and other officials to support the people and the functions of the ancient temples. The Apsaras took part in all ceremonies and acted as messengers between the gods, men and their kings. They danced for the gods in order to encourage rain, good crops, prosperity and protection for the kingdom.
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Related Links

Go Cambodia
Sangkheum Center for Children
Cambodia e-Gov Homepage: Country's Art and Culture
Ministry of Culture and Fine arts
Celestial Dancers
Dance, the Spirit of Cambodia

Modern Southeast Asian Literature
Wisdom Portal
The Visual Record
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