Cambodian Classical Dance

Court Dance Repertoire

Note: Click on any of the pictures below to see an enlargement

"The dancer embodies the Khmer ideals of beauty, grace, and continuity - continuity not only between the past and present, but also between the realm of gods and that of men."

"The classical dance is made up primarily of episodes from the Reamker , the Cambodian version of the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Although based on the Indian epic, the Reamker contains many episodes that do not exist in the original. It is a uniquely Cambodian representation of social relationships and the moral universe"

Read more about the Ramayana and it's different versions

Hanuman's soldiers train for their battle with Ravana.

Rama and his brother Lasma

....Rama pursues the golden deer for Sita.

Rama and Sita..

The Ramayana was written about 2,000 years ago. The 48,000 line epic odyssey is essentially a moral tale, describing the adventures of Prince Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Before Rama's birth the gods determined that his life would be one of a hero, but that he would be tested through trial and tribulation.

Renouncing his throne, the prince was banished and wandered in the wilderness with his beautiful wife Sita, and his brother Lasma, for many years. Sita was abducted by the evil King Ravana. Rama finds her with the help of Hanuman, the King of the monkeys and son of the God of the wind.

Buong Suong .. a prayer for freedom, victory and prosperity.

Bopha Lokei, "Flowers of the World".

Moni Mekhala (goddess of water) and Ream Eyso (god of the storm). According to Khmer popular legends, the thunder-storm is all that mortal eyes are allowed to see of this recurrent celestial affray; The lightning representing the glitter of Mekhala's crystal ball and the thunder the clatter of Ream Eyso's magic axe as it slips from his fingers. It might likewise be said to symbolize the victory of chastity and innocence over the powers of darkness.