In 2015, choreographer Ok Prumsodun formed an all male, gay-identified Khmer dance company in his living room. Now he is the face of the sacred art’s inclusive future.
For those who have seen performances of traditional Khmer art, Khmer dance was mostly dominated by women and even today it is quite unusual for men to dance. Even more. gay love had never been depicted in Khmer dance before Prumsodun Ok did all that for a project back in 2008. Prumsodun believed that Khmer dance could be more inclusive and that this ancient art needed to evolve in order to survive.
In 2015, he moved from Los Angeles to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to follow his call and set up Cambodia’s first LGBT dance company, Ponatyarasa.
Come and experience the power of Khmer classical dance, a moving meditation developed more than 1,000 years ago. Join Cambodia’s first gay dance company as we give new life to our rich heritage, and elevate the quality of life and expression for the country’s LGBTQ people.
Venue: Java Creative Cafe
Time: 6:30pm, every Saturday and Sunday
Currently there are nearly 10 dancers who train intensively, 5 times a week. Probably one of the very few companies that do so in Cambodia. Almost 3 years old, Ponatyarasa has plans to train more dancers in traditional Khmer dance.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/prumsodun
Website: https://www.ponatyarasa.com
Get your tickets here.