1925, Ruth St. Denis Visited Cambodia & Dedicated A Production To The Legend of The Khmer Naga Queen
Ruth St. Denis, a pioneer in American modern dance, voyaged on a steamship to tour Asia in 1925. She took a side trip to Cambodia & arrived on the evening of a celebration in honor of King Sisowath’s birthday. “Cambodian dancers performed a mesmeric dance..their knees bent in deep plié, their hands dancing a lively story, heads immobile under the heavy crowns.” Fascinated and elated, “as they always were when they saw fine dancing.” [p 205, 'Ruth St. Denis: A Biography of the Divine Dancer']