Cambodia classical dance: Heritage of the ancient Khmer ancestors (Documentary, 1997)

The dance embodies the traditional values of refinement, respect and spirituality. This art form, which narrowly escaped annihilation in the 1970s, is cherished by many Cambodians. Proeung Chhieng and Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, a former star dancer, have been responsible for setting up a new school and Royal Ballet. Original title - Dancing for the Gods Directed by Adrian Maben, 1997 Subscribe: Follow us on Facebook: This documentary travels to Phnom Penh in Cambodia to look at the renaissance of Khmer classical dancing. At the heart of the classical form is the Apsara, the dancer whose image can be seen everywhere in stone on the walls of Angkor Vat temple. It is estimated that there were 3,000 Apsara dancers in the twelfth-century court of King Jayavarman VII. In the year 1400, the Khmer empire was dismantled, and the dancers were seized and abducted to Thailand. The glory of Angkor faded and the Royal Ballet deteriorated.