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Since the dawn of recorded history, Khmer royalty nurtured a sacred
dance style unique to their Asian kingdom, yet instantly
recognizable throughout the world. In 1913, George Groslier
published the first Western study of this ancient art. For nearly a
century Danseuses cambodgiennes anciennes et modernes has stood as
the first significant historic account of Cambodia s royal dance
tradition. This edition presents the first English translation of
his pivotal work, beautifully typeset with all the author s
original drawings. It also includes the first personal account of
Groslier's life by biographer Kent Davis, family photos, extensive
background materials, a bibliography and index. The first French
child born in Cambodia in 1887, Groslier went to Paris to train as
a painter before returning to Asia to become an archaeologist,
historian, educator and novelist. A lifelong champion of Khmer
arts, Groslier founded the National Museum of Cambodia and the
School of Fine Arts. After a life of adventure, contemplation, and
instruction traveling the Mekong, mapping the ruins of Cambodia's
lost temples, sparking a revival of traditional Cambodian arts, and
helping apprehend a young art thief named Andre Malraux Groslier
was tortured and killed by the Japanese army in 1945. This book was
the first in a series of works that he wrote about his beloved
birthplace. Time would tame his prose but never his enthusiasm,
which here leaps off the page. REVIEWS It is my pleasure to
introduce new generations of readers to this classic account of
Cambodia s royal dance tradition. H.R.H. Princess Norodom Buppha
Devi You returned here as if marked by destiny, the most restless
artist we had ever encountered to devote himself to Cambodian
dancers and their secrets. Charles Gravelle - 1913 The first
commentary in any language Asian or European on one of the world s
most refined performing arts.. Dr. Paul Cravath - Earth in Flower
On June 6, 1913, George Groslier, a twenty-six year old French
explorer, set out with a small group of native porters on a
six-month trek in the Cambodian wilderness. A millennium earlier,
the Khmer empire had ruled the entire region. In the 15th century,
however, the kingdom mysteriously collapsed, with dense jungle
quickly covering its fabulous temples. The French government
charged Groslier with documenting the most remote edifices of the
Khmer legacy - among them Preah Vihear, Wat Phu, Beng Melea and
Banteay Chhmar - sites that remain isolated even a century later.
This modern edition - enhanced with 75 period illustrations and
detailed appendices - offers readers the first English translation
of the dangers, discoveries and people encountered on his solitary
adventure. Groslier's impressions and insights still fascinate
those who, even today, seek answers in the ancient shrines of
Cambodia. What we find in the shadow of Angkor is not merely an
extraordinary example of a dead civilization...but a dead
civilization whose torches have been kept alight and shine on.
George Groslier - Tonle Repou, July 12, 1913 The re-publication of
Groslier's book is a cause for celebration. While much interest
stems from descriptions of these temples as he saw them in 1913 -
when they were indeed virtually unknown to more than a few western
scholars - there is much more to be found in this book of lyrical,
and at times poetic, writing. Milton Osborne - Foreword
George Groslier's artistic vision of Cambodia's ancient dance
tradition with the complete contents of his rare 1913 publication.
With a Preface by Her Royal Highness Princess Buppha Devi of
Cambodia, this deluxe modern edition features more than 250
hand-drawn illustrations and photos, extensive background
materials, a bibliography and index. In his Foreword, Dr. Paul
Cravath, author of the award-winning Cambodian dance history "Earth
in Flower," notes that this is "The first commentary in any
language--Asian or European--on one of the world's most refined
performing arts." The book also includes the first detailed
biography of the author: "Le Khmerophile - The Art and Life of
George Groslier." Working with the author's daughter Nicole
Groslier and her previously unseen family photo archives,
biographer Kent Davis recounts the life of the man who committed
his life to serving Cambodia and her people.
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