Thi May performs ancient Apsara Dance
VOV.VN -Wearing a glittering silk tunic, sequinned top and an elaborate golden headdress, Truong Thi May looked exquisite performing the centuries old traditional Khmer Apsara Dance.
May executes the movements with great deftness and deliberation, knees bent in plié, heels touching the floor first at each step, with a coy smile on her face. |
Every position of the dance has its own symbolism – a finger pointing to the sky, for instance, indicates ‘today’, while standing sideways to the audience with the sole of the foot facing upwards represents flying. |
Most of the Apsara dances find their origin in the 18th to 20th century, since a lot of the royals of the Angkor period supported this art of dancing. |
Experts say it takes six years for students to learn the 1,500 intricate positions of the dance, and a further three to six years for them to attain the required level of artistic maturity. |
May performs the dance as part of the Chol Chnam Thmay Festival, taking place on April 14-16, one of the most important festivals of the year for the Khmer people. |
It is the New Year Festival according to the ancient calendar of the Khmer people. |
The Chol Chnam Thmay Festival celebrates the move forward from the misfortunes of the previous year to the promise of a new year. |