The Royal Ballet of Cambodia is a classical Khmer dance renowned for its graceful hand movements and luxurious costumes. The ballet has been closely associated with the Khmer court for over a thousand years and would traditionally accompany various royal ceremonies, including coronations, weddings, funerals, and Khmer holidays. The ballet's repertoire encompasses various ancient Khmer legends.
Cambodia Royal Ballet
Dancing figures on a bas-relief in Angkor showing traditional Khmer dance gestures (12th century)
Colorized bas-relief showing a dancing figure in Angkor Wat (12th century)
Auguste Rodin Painting Cambodia Classical Dance 1906
Sisowath Kossamak was Queen of Cambodia from 1955 to 1960 as the wife of King Norodom Suramarit and Ceremonial Queen of Cambodia from 1960 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1970. After her husband's death in 1960, her son Norodom Sihanouk became chief of state, while Kossamak played an important public representational rule during her son's reign in 1960–1970. Sisowath Kossamak was born a Cambodian princess as the daughter of King Sisowath Monivong and his wife Norodom Kanviman Norleak Tevi. Her official title was Preah Mohaksatreiyani Sisowath Monivong Kossamak Nearirath Serey Vathana.
Sisowath Kossamak
Queen Kossamak on a palanquin in the inner court, behind is the Khemarin Palace
The Queen Mother with Prince Sihanouk and former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1967.