Apsara Dance: The dance of the celestial beauties

This mesmerising Apsara Dance is Cambodian dance storytelling in its most aesthetic form, and witnessing it at the Royal Theatre Restaurant in Siem Reap was one of the highlights of our trip to Cambodia.

The performers, draped elegantly in rich traditional ivory-coloured ensembles accessorised with heavy gold jewellery, embody the attributes of the celestial heavenly beauties, Apsaras, that they portray.

There is a quiet energy in the dance that is derived from the sheer grace of the slow, fluid hand gestures, called Mudras, of the performers as they make sensual, deft movements, swaying delicately to the beat of lilting music in the background.

Our experience of watching the Apsara Dance at the Royal Theatre Restaurant

Apsara Dance is accompanied by a lavish dinner at the Royal Theatre Restaurant in Siem Reap. You can, of course, choose to see only the show minus the dining option.

We had read some great reviews about the Royal Theatre Restaurant and the dinner they serve, so we opted for it.

The evening starts with energetic folk dances of various regions of Cambodia. The performances are colourful and they celebrate Cambodian culture.

Dinner is served simultaneously, and the lavish spread, the warmth of the staff on duty, enhances the entire experience of watching the show. There are various cuisines, each more delicious than the other, with a separate counter for vegetarians too.

Towards the end of the show is the mesmerising Apsara Dance. By the time this performance starts, dinner is almost done. And if you're midway through your meal, believe me, you'll be too stunned to eat, and you wouldn't want to blink your eyes lest you miss something.

Yeah, that's right. I saw many people standing with full plates in their hands, transfixed and unable to take their eyes off the slow, sensual dance movements of the dancers.

I, too, made a video of the performance, but it does not do justice to the magic these women create on stage.

There is a group photo with the dancers at the end of the show, I wasn't going to miss it, for sure!

That's Apsara Dance for you. The performance takes place at 4 or 5 venues in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, too. So, don't miss it on your Cambodia trip, you'll remember it for a long time to come.