Dating back 1,000 years, and formerly the exclusive property of royalty, these dances have survived to be performed wherever Cambodians have settled. Within recent years, performance artists have gathered to film some of them in order to help scholars preserve this cultural treasure. Here, a narrator explains the origins and mythology of each dance, performed with percussion ensemble and chorus narrating and speaking for the various characters. From the classical repertoire we see "Buong Suong," imploring for peace; "Aspara," assuring fertility of the earth; "Chhouy Chhay," a solo tribute to feminine beauty; "Muni Mekhala," the oldest dance, to bring rain; and "Tep Monorum," the most popular, a group dance of blessing to end a performance. The dances are deceptively simple, and are characterized by graceful, stylized movements and exquisite physical control. Dreamy lighting, exotic costumes and hypnotic music complete the picture. Given the rarity of the subject and the fragility of this legacy, this is an essential purchase for any serious dance collection or ethnic studies program. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)
Khmer Court Dance: Cambodian Royal Court Dances
(1995) 74 min. $24.99. Multicultural Media. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 11, Issue 3
Khmer Court Dance: Cambodian Royal Court Dances
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