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.