Index | Previous | Next

Robaim Monosanchetana
(Expression of Sentiment Dance)

    Created in the 1980s, this dance is a more recent
addition to the classical repertoire. It was created
to provide dancers with a wide range of expressions
and sentiments as part of the portrayal of an
ornate royal courtship ritual.

    As is typical of the classical dance, the gestures
of the performers convey an elaborate sign language
reflecting the interaction of the two characters
depicted in the presentation.

    Historically, women dance both male and female
roles in the Cambodian classical dance...mainly
due to the fact that the dancers were the consorts
and concubines of the ancient Cambodian kings.
It is only in the 20th Century and the influence of
Cambodia’s University of Fine Arts that men appear
as characters is the classical dance.

    In the folk dances, roles are more clearly gender specific.

    Pictured are master dancers Yim Devi Dos and Sovanny Chun.