Tips 1 - 8 of 8 Khett Siem Reab Local Customs
|
|
 |
Local Customs: Apsara Carvings
|
Tip Rating:  |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Now while you were visiting the temples in Angkor, surely you noticed the voluptous curves and innocent gaze of some celestial nymphs on the temple walls? Yes, especially if you're a hot-blooded guy. Even if you're not, it'll be interesting to note that these are APSARAS or celestial dancers. According to Hindu mythology, these nymphs popped out when some Gods and Demons stirred up the sea to create an immortal cocktail. In reality, they are court dancers who performed for ancient Angkor Kings. Ordinary folks like us were not privy to this dance till recent times. Amazingly, this dance has prevailed till today despite countless of war, strife and the madness of the Cambodian holocaust...
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: The Apsara Pose
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The Apsara imagery comes from the carvings. This is why they engage in that ‘Apsara stand’ at the start and at the end of the performance to remind us of ancient times. We see them as not real but only carvings about which we dream."
Her Excellency, Menh Kossony, Deputy Director General of Technical, Ministry of Culture and Fine Art Now, if you've looked at my earlier posting, you would have noticed that these dancers are standing in the same pose as the sculptures, complete with lotuses in their hands! Now these poses are deliberate as hell as they serve to remind us of the gorgeous beauties we saw on the temple walls.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: Smiling like the Perfect Woman in Cambodia
|
Tip Rating:   |
|
|
|
|
|
|
As you watch the Apsara Dance in Siem Reap, note the enigmatic smile on the dancer's face and how she makes an effort not to show her teeth. If you're wondering why she isn't grinning like Julia Roberts, it's because of an ol' Angkorian belief. Somehow, those ancient folks believe that a simple woman would smile showing the teeth while the perfect woman would smile, hiding her teeth...
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: Meticulous Apasara Hand Movements
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other than showing the perfect smile sans teeth, the Apsara dancers in Cambodia have to memorise hundreds of complicated hand and leg gestures. Somehow, the slow pace of the meticulous hand movements is not something that can be learnt overnight! It takes years of practice before those routines can be danced perfectly. Now that you know this, perhaps, you'll watch the Apsara dance with more appreciation? I did, since I am a typical Type A who would probably stamp around in frustration with that tight sarong and that fetching headpiece!
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: Intricate Apsara Headpiece
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
And since I've mentioned it, those headpieces worn by those Apsara dancers in Grand Hotel sure looks beautiful but heavy! Have you ever notice how intricately decorated those things are? Floral spirals, conical tips and all. Now I wonder, how heavy those things are and if they ever get a headache after a dance!
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: Apsara Dance Training Starts Early
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Like the ballet, apsara dance training starts early so that the intricate moves can be mastered while the body is still flexible. These adorable kids that you see in the picture are still under training but they put a great show at the Grand Hotel. The little boys pranced and did cartwheels on the stage while the little girls shadowed the older female dancers. They seemed to enjoy the whole experience and exposure..
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: Little Apsara Dancers
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The little apsara dancers at the Grand Hotel, Siem Reap looked so adorable ! As I mentioned, they shadowed the older dancers and mimic all the intricate poses. I'm quite sure they'll grow into beautiful apsaras one day.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Customs: Little Hanuman Warrior
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just then, I caught sight of a little dancer who took on the role of a hanuman warrior, a monkey. Why, it turned out to be a girl instead of a boy ! Now I wondered why they assigned the traditional male role to that little girl? Was it because she was a tomboy?
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
More Khett Siem Reab Tips
|
Join a Discussion Buying school supplies
(2 replies, Saturday, Oct 17, 2009, 9:45 AM UTC) Getting around, do I need a tour guide and others
(9 replies, Sunday, Aug 2, 2009, 8:23 AM UTC) which hotel?
(4 replies, Sunday, May 10, 2009, 5:45 PM UTC) Be the first to reply to these questions Rent a motorbike in Siem Reab
(no replies yet, Saturday, Nov 15, 2008, 8:31 AM UTC) Multi destination flights
(no replies yet, Friday, Sep 22, 2006, 8:34 PM UTC) "ANGKOR DIAMOND HOTEL" & ITS "BAMBOO RESTAURANT" ?
(no replies yet, Friday, Aug 25, 2006, 3:16 AM UTC) » All Khett Siem Reab Posts
» Ask about Khett Siem Reab Destinations near Khett Siem Reab- Europe, 0 km / 0 miles
- North America, 0 km / 0 miles
- Asia, 0 km / 0 miles
- South America, 0 km / 0 miles
- Australia and Oceania, 0 km / 0 miles
- Africa, 0 km / 0 miles
- Caribbean and Central America, 0 km / 0 miles
- Middle East, 0 km / 0 miles
- Antarctica, 0 km / 0 miles
- Arctic, 0 km / 0 miles
» See all locations nearby» Popular Cambodia locations» Popular Asia locations |
 Comments for bpacker about Khett Siem Reab | | | | |
Eggboy Sat Aug 30, 2008 14:24 UTC
See my tip on local cutoms. Congee cures all ills including beer hangovers. | ValbyDK Sun Jun 29, 2008 16:22 UTC
Hi Glen. You have a great Siem Reab page. I hope to go there later this year. Thx for the tips. | ellsasha Tue Apr 1, 2008 01:47 UTC
Wonderful tips, this is one of my favourite countries! Ellsasha. | londonbabe Fri Nov 23, 2007 18:34 UTC
Thanks VERY much for the tip about the flights direct to HK - saves us going via Saigon. |
|
|
email me
add as friend
on Jun 3, 2005
