Ideas worth spreading

The magic of Khmer classical dance

1,783,386 views |

Prumsodun Ok |

TED2017

• April 2017

For more than 1,000 years, Khmer dancers in Cambodia have been seen as living bridges between heaven and earth. In this graceful dance-talk hybrid, artist Prumsodun Ok -- founder of Cambodia's first all-male and gay-identified dance company -- details the rich history of Khmer classical dance and its current revival, playing the ancient and ageless role of artist as messenger.

For more than 1,000 years, Khmer dancers in Cambodia have been seen as living bridges between heaven and earth. In this graceful dance-talk hybrid, artist Prumsodun Ok -- founder of Cambodia's first all-male and gay-identified dance company -- details the rich history of Khmer classical dance and its current revival, playing the ancient and ageless role of artist as messenger.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Join Prumsodun in giving new life to an ancient legacy as he empowers the next generation of gay artists and leaders.

About the speaker

Prumsodun Ok

Interdisciplinary artist

See speaker profile

TED Fellow Prumsodun Ok heals, empowers and advocates using the ancient art of Khmer classical dance.

Toni Samantha Phim and Ashley Thompson | Book

Dance in Cambodia

This is a nice introduction to the many forms of Khmer dance, including robam kbach boran (classical dance), khaol (masked dance), and folk dance to name a few.

Prumsodun Ok | CreateSpace, 2013 | Book

Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso

This book uses one of Cambodia’s most sacred dance dramas to explore the passage of knowledge and leadership within a tradition nearly destroyed by genocide. Filled with photographs, interviews, and essays, this is a short and accessible portal into the rich world of Khmer classical dance.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Join Prumsodun in giving new life to an ancient legacy as he empowers the next generation of gay artists and leaders.