- Thai and French cultural impacts
- Thailand seized Apsara dancers in 1431
- 17th century - French "westernized" culture into theatre form
- Deterioration from years of violence and war
- Vietnam invasions and Pol Pot's Year Zero Era
- ~90% artists killings by Khmer Rouge were dancers
- many hid away working in rice fields
History and Development
Robam Apsara Mera
- First called robam khbach boran
- Cambodian royal ballet
- Traditional cultural dance
- coronations, weddings, funerals, Khmer holidays
- Spiritual and ritual traditions of Hindu-Buddhist
- mythical stories and figures
What is Robam Khmer?
Robam Khmer (Cambodian Ballet)
- Emphasis on curves of the body
- arched backs, bent fingers and toes
- Male characters emphasis of leg and arm position
- distinguish masculinity with elegance
Dance Style: Body Movement and Posture
American Ballet Theatre's image of a performance from "Swan Lake"
Wicheny Mao
COM 110-13
April 27, 2016
Objectives
- What is Robam Khmer?
- The history of Robam Khmer
- development and hardships
- Distinctive difference from other dances
- cultural influences on the style
Review of Robam Khmer
- Traditional dance of Hindu-Buddhist influences
- Faced years of deterioration from war and communism
- Has its own unique dance style
- It is a huge part of Cambodian culture
Dance Style: Costumes
- Angkorean period sewn on garments to enhance body contour
- Gold thread embroidery and bedazzled jewels
- Accessories from head to toe
- Modern day focuses on leightweight
- gold painted accessories
- zipper adjustments