The First Royal Apsara, an 184-page biography of Princess Norodom Buppha Devi by Ambassador Julio A Jeldres, is being published after three years of painstaking research, with a first print run of 1,500 copies.

Jeldres’ latest book was launched at a glittering event at Raffles Hotel Le Royal on July 7, with Prince Sisowath Veakchiravuddh, president of the Princess Buppha Devi Association, among the distinguished guests.

Princess Buppha Devi Dance School director Prince Sisowath Tesso and Om Yuk Vandy, a professor at the school, were also in attendance.

“Writing this book was a long process, taking three years. It required a lot of discussions and interviews with the royal family.

“The First Royal Apsara is not only a biography of Princess Buppha Devi, but also a compilation of her duties when she was Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, her activities promoting dance and her passion for the performing arts.

“The book is divided into seven chapters – ‘The Early Years of a Princess’, ‘A Star is Born’, ‘Cultural Diplomacy’, ‘The Royal Ballet’, ‘Poignant Years’, ‘Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts’, and ‘The Last Sampeah’,” Jeldres said.

A long-standing friend of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Jeldres is the author of several books, including the bestselling The Royal House of Cambodia.

The Chilean was granted the personal rank of Ambassador by King Norodom Sihanouk in June 1991, and has since April 2013 been a Counsellor to the Cabinet of His Majesty the King of Cambodia.

Princess Buppha Devi, who was born in 1943 and became the Royal Ballet of Cambodia’s premier dancer at 15, married Prince Sisowath Chivan Monirak (1936-2017) and had two sons with him – Prince Sisowath Chivannariddh was born in 1968 and Prince Veakchiravuddh in 1973.

Prince Veakchiravuddh, president of the Princess Buppha Devi Association, expressed his delight at the launch of The First Royal Apsara.

“I am very happy that this book has been published. The First Royal Apsara is not only a dedication to my mother, but also the Royal Ballet, to which she devoted most of her life.

“It will also let the world know about Khmer cultural heritage through dance,” he told The Post.

The late Princess Buppha Devi, who passed away in 2019, had a long-held desire to create a cultural centre, open to everybody, where artists could meet, rehearse and conduct research, with a theatre to stage dance performances.

To this end, she established the Neak Moneang Phat Kanhol Foundation, in honour of her late mother, who was also a dancer at the Royal Ballet.

Following the passing of Princess Buppha Devi in November 2019, Prince Veakchiravuddh decided to close the Neak Moneang Phat Kanhol Foundation and establish in its place the Princess Buppha Devi Association to perpetuate the legacy of the late princess.

However, not long afterwards the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and the activities of the association were restricted to the opening of the Princess Buppha Devi Dance School, directed by Prince Tesso with the assistance of Master Voan Savay and Yuk Vandy.

Training young Cambodian dancers, the school continues the legacy of the late princess, Prince Veakchiravuddh said.

“When she was alive, my mother had a burning desire to establish a cultural centre. With the founding of the Princess Buppha Devi Dance School in early 2019, I will, as her son and the president of the association that bears her name, do my best to spread word to the public of its importance,” he said.

Speaking to The Post, Princess Buppha Devi Dance School director Prince Tesso emphasised the importance of The First Royal Apsara.

“This book is the first biography on the princess, and it is important for younger generations to know about the life of this great princess, one who dedicated her life to the arts and culture, especially to have the royal ballet registered as an intangible heritage of humanity.

“The sales of the English version of the book will allow the printing of a Khmer edition for younger generations to know about Princess Buppha Devi. We have 1,500 copies to sell at $25 each, available at White Mansion Hotel, Monument Books and the Institut Francais,” he said.

Yuk Vandy, technical instructor at Princess Buppha Devi Dance School and the leader of a newly formed dance troupe highlighted the impact the princess had on the art form.

Princess Buppha Devi created a dance called “King Jayavarman VII and Princess Indra Devi”, which has twice been performed before the public, the 60-year-old classical dancer said.

“The idea comes from the love between the great Khmer Empire King Jayavarman VII and Princess Indra Devi.

“As a specialist in classical dance, all the moves have been developed to bring together the story of Jayavarman VII and Princess Indra Devi,” said Yuk Vandy.