Apsaras - dancers of unearthly beauty, born of Indian legends about demigoddesses-courtesans
Apsaras - dancers of unearthly beauty, born of Indian legends about demigoddesses-courtesans

Video: Apsaras - dancers of unearthly beauty, born of Indian legends about demigoddesses-courtesans

Video: Apsaras - dancers of unearthly beauty, born of Indian legends about demigoddesses-courtesans
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Apsaras are Cambodia's charming dancers. Photographer: Andrey Khutorskoy
Apsaras are Cambodia's charming dancers. Photographer: Andrey Khutorskoy

Graceful and sophisticated, half-naked dancers in flowing silk are a real pearl of Cambodian culture. Apsara Virgins, the spirits of clouds and water, were considered in Hindu mythology to be courtesans who seduced hermits, whose power threatened the power of the gods. And today you can see the magical dance of the apsara, bewitching with its beauty. It is performed by the most beautiful Cambodians.

Modern dance apsara
Modern dance apsara

The apsara dance tradition has its roots in antiquity. Among the bas-reliefs on the walls of most Hindu temples, one can find images of dancers, whose bodies are plastic, and whose outfits are beautiful. Traditions persist to this day; not every girl can become a dancer in Cambodia. As a rule, only the most beautiful Cambodian women, short in stature, with a thin waist and wide hips, high breasts and graceful feet and hands, are honored with this honor. The latter is not accidental, because smooth movements and bends of fingers are of great importance in dance. Finger movements are a special language, because dance conveys meanings that have been embedded in culture for centuries.

Apsaras - Cambodia's adorable dancers
Apsaras - Cambodia's adorable dancers
Girls perform an ancient ritual dance
Girls perform an ancient ritual dance

Another distinctive feature of Cambodian dancers is the whiteness of the skin. Dark-skinned by nature, they spare no effort and money to use all kinds of sunscreens, protecting their skin from exposure to sunlight. After all, goddesses shouldn't have a bronze tan.

Fantastic bending of fingers
Fantastic bending of fingers
Golden flowers can often be seen in the hands of apsaras
Golden flowers can often be seen in the hands of apsaras

Mentions of apsaras can be found in various cultures: for example, in Vedic mythology they were considered the beloved of the brave warriors-demigods of the Gadharvas, later, in Hindu mythology, they were considered heavenly dancers and courtesans, who were used to seduce ascetics and gratify heroes who fell in battle and fell to Indra's paradise.

Apsara legs are decorated with bracelets and bells
Apsara legs are decorated with bracelets and bells
Numerous bracelets on the hands of apsaras
Numerous bracelets on the hands of apsaras
Luxurious apsara outfits
Luxurious apsara outfits
Each dance is based on a story from the life of the gods or Khmers
Each dance is based on a story from the life of the gods or Khmers
Fascinating and beautiful apsara dancers
Fascinating and beautiful apsara dancers

It is interesting that images of apsaras can be found not only on the bas-reliefs of Hindu temples, but also on facades of modern houses … Not so long ago, images of oriental dancers inspired a young artist from Kiev to create a series of wonderful street art drawings.

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