Channel Title: Sutra Foundation Channel Description: Sutra Foundation is a tribute to Art and strives to bring alive both traditional and contemporary performing arts in Malaysia. Sutra Foundation 5 Sutra Foundation is a tribute to Art and strives to bring alive both traditional and contemporary performing arts in Malaysia. The Foundation is an offering unto the creative spirit that transcends all boundaries where the flour- ish of the dancer, the stroke of the painter and the melody of the musician are held in equal measure. A legacy bequeathed to Malaysia by one of its most celebrated sons, Ramli Ibrahim, the Sutra Foun- dation carries into the future the thread of his vision and contribution to the Malaysian arts scene. The Foundation embraces Sutra Dance Theatre which, since its formation in 1983, has played an enormous role in enhancing the Malaysian performing arts scene. Deeply entrenched in an ethos that celebrates diversity, the Sutra Foundation is a nucleus of activity where various ethnic cultures come together to forge a <video> Vijayadasami 2024, Sutra House Description: Dear Friends, Vijayadasami at Sutra 12 October, 2024 Sutra House Huddled in our Studio with the pouring rain outside, Sutra Foundation had one of its most ‘atmospheric’ and magical Vijayadasamis, to date. The Vijayadasami, that ended the Navarathri, was a celebration to conclude a 9-day, for some, fasting and discipline of conquering the inner & outer demons. Traditionally, during Navarathri, Sutra performs as Seva to the community, in many temples around the Klang valley, at times right to Klang town, itself. Importantly, Vijayadasami is a night of paying homage to the personification of Knowledge, in the form of the Guru. Sutra students brought the traditional paraphernalia of dance, fruits and sweets as offerings to be blessed for another year of creativity and hardwork. All the teachers of Sutra were present to conduct this once a year ‘Renewal’ of our dance vows. After all, only by the blessing of Knowledge dispensed by the Guru (the Dispeller of Ignorance), can a student achieve and be granted realisation of purpose. Only then can the body, mind and spirit attain liberation. Admidst puja, dance, live bhajans sung by the dancers themselves intensified by wafting incense and puja smoke, (and later delicious food), Sutra dancers performed, renewing their resolve to give the best of themselves to the highest principles that eventually reside within. This ‘jihad’ has to take place within their Heart of hearts. Pujas and dances became oral, aural and visual offerings and the manifestation of what were also taking place within the devotee/dancer’s heart in this process of ‘cleansing’. Dance afterall is ‘Metaphor’. We dancers are fortunately able to achieve ‘liberation’ through the power of suggestion! Sutra. #vijayadasami #2024 #navarathri #sutrahouse #sutradancers #yearlyaffair </video> <video> NIVRITTI (Odissi), ‘A Journey Within’ by Indu Vijay (6 & 7 September, 2024) Sutra House Description: Dear Friends, _NIVRITTI_ (Odissi) by Indu Vijay 6 & 7 September, 2024 Sutra House 8pm _NIVRITTI_ (Odissi), ‘A Journey Within’, by Singapore-based dancer Indu Vijay shone with authenticity and integrity last night, at its premiere at Sutra House, Kuala Lumpur. These qualities, rare in the present fast digital Tik Tok era of instant gratification, were the hallmark of an experienced and matured dancer, who had ‘arrived’. Clearly, Indu Vijay was not preoccupied with the sensational in _NIVRITTI_. Indu Vijay performed four works, three of which were created by the distinguished gurus who had influenced her - the late Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, Maestro Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Guru Aruna Mohanty. In her concluding work Indu Vijay danced her own choreographed work, inspired by Kabir. According to Indu, it was coincidental that two of the works she performed were by the mystic medieval Muslim poets, Sala Bhega and Kabir. Their timeless universal message was significant and was specially relevant in the present austere Islamic wave of Wahabbist Arabatisation of Malaysian Malays. Indu explained the motive and process that had led her to creating ‘the journey within’. She had used the metaphor of the body as the moving temple and her discovery that the highest spirit actually resides within oneself! For the audience made up mostly of dancers from various schools of Kuala Lumpur, this message was succinctly conveyed through both Indu’s _sattvika_ abhinaya and her immaculate _‘angasuddha_’. The journey that originated within eventually manifested outwardly as the dancer performed her exquisite movements. The body, the supreme metaphor of the moving temple radiates with the ‘realised’ spirit within! This is the ‘Yoga’ of dance. Ramli. </video> <video> Sutra in Rajarajeswari Temple 2024 (Navarathri Day 1) Description: Dear Friends, For more than two decades, Sutra’s first performance for Navarathri, traditionally, has always been reserved for the Rajarajeshwari Amman Temple in Ampang. We had presented Sutra’s young dancers from our first Outreach programs and now they are all grown up as young women and men. How time flew! Tonight, on 3 October 2024, as the temple priests conducted an elaborate and intense puja infront of the magnificently decorated Kollu, amidst evocative incense and temple music of Nadaswaram and Thavil, Sutra dancers prepared in the adjacent room for their performance of both Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Dato Rajasekaran, the Temple Chairman and his wife Datin Jeyanthini were in the puja hall as devotees started to stream in, taking their seats to partake in the performance. The Navarathri performance started with a powerful Odissi Mangalacharan invoking Durga with its accompanying sabda depicting her form as the magnificent Kali. Next, Sutra’s Bharatanatyam team performed the beautiful Pushpanjali invoking Ganesha, followed by the Alarippu executed to the complex rhythm of 11 beats (tisra dhruvam). The performance then alternated between Odissi & Bharatanatyam. Senior dancers joined in. Time passed by quickly without us realising it. It was an empowering night with dancers giving the best of themselves as the gift to The Inexplicable Entity, call it what you may. There was palpable ‘positivity’ as each dancer/devotee had come with a personal vow to appease, a personal request of Life’s blessings. Good must triumph over evil, happiness over suffering, expectations and realisation alternated with Hope. Universally, everyone wished for a better life and for the world to be a better place. We came home ‘released’ of life’s niggling burden - not unlike a Makyong participant who passes through a thread loop (pelepas) to signify ‘lepas’ or ‘release’ of all kinds of knots, mentally and physically, freed and blessed from any obstruction to ‘a smooth sailing of life’. Sutra. #navaratri #rajarajeswari #temple #danceperformance #sutrafoundation #odissi #bharatanatyam #blessings </video> <video> LAHARA: THE WAVELET by Bibhu Patnaik (11 Oct 2024) Sutra Gallery Description: Sutra Foundation presents 𝙇𝘼𝙃𝘼𝙍𝘼: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝘽𝙞𝙗𝙝𝙪 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙖𝙞𝙠 𝗦𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗼’ 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗶 Sutra Shines Spotlight on Odisha Artist Don’t allow a little rain - especially during this vibrant Navarathri season - to deny you the joy of appreciating some exquisite paintings from one of India’s regions famed for its artistic treasures. Sutra Gallery is currently showcasing the work of Bibhu Patnaik, an accomplished artist trained in several fine arts institutions in India. Originally from Odisha and now based in New Delhi, Bibhu is a master of the Patachitra painting tradition, which is deeply rooted in the myths and festivities of eastern India. Patachitra's fluid tradition allows for contemporary expressions, leading to the creation of Lahara: The Wavelet, Bibhu’s debut in Malaysia. The themes of Patachitra - Dance, Music, Literature, Sculpture - beautifully meld with Sutra Gallery’s mission to promote artworks that advance the public appreciation of dance. Notably, Lahara embodies the concept and philosophy of Odissi, the classical dance form for which Sutra’s founder Padma Shri Datuk Ramli Ibrahim and his dancers are renowned. You can’t miss Bibhu’s centrepiece work depicting Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja, regarded as the greatest poet of Odisha. He revolutionised his era by composing epic songs and music that elevated Oriya to a status rivalling Sanskrit. Kavi Samrat's works are known for their sensitive and emotional essence, exploring themes of love and connection with remarkable aesthetic depth. Be sure to visit the exhibition, running until November 1, 2024, where if you’re lucky Bibhu will provide deeper insights into his work. Review by Geetha K </video> <video> Malaysia India Business Council, MIBC (9 Oct 2024) Sime Darby Convention Centre Description: Dear Friends, The 16 Anniversary Gala Dinner of the Malaysia India Business Council (MIBC)was held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, on 9 Oct, 2024. It was a grand occasion, with Minister of Digital Malaysia, YB Tuan Govind Singh Deo and The High Commissioner of India, HE Shri BN Reddy as the Guests of Honour. Indian Minister HE Shri Nitin Gadkari gave a special congratulatory message. The Gala Dinner was hosted by Tan Sri Kuna Sittampalam, Chairman of MIBC. Business corporate fraternities of both Malaysia and India attended the event in full force. Also present was New Delhi-based Odia artist, Shri Bibhu Patnaik who had just arrived for his exhibition ‘Lahara’ launch at Sutra Gallery on 11 October. As usual Chacko Vadaketh emceed the gala dinner with style and panache. With Tan Sri Kuna helming MIBC, the Malaysia India Business Council has been a prime mover in driving the ecosystem and sustainability of business links between the two nations. It is of vital importance for Malaysia to sustain this as India is moving fast in its meteoric trajectory as a world economic powerhouse. Awards were given to outstanding Malaysian corporates as Industry Winners and to individuals who have been outstanding in spearheading the above mentioned business links with India. We recognised several of the corporates such as IJM Corporation Bhd (Tan Sri Krishnan Tan) DMIA (Datuk Seri Subramaniam Pillai), HSS Engineers Bhd (Ir Sharifah Azlina, Executive Director) and individuals such as Tan Sri Ajit Singh, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, Tan Sri Kuna Sittampalam and Dato’ Bhaskaran Pillai who came forward to receive their awards. These are corporations and individuals who are aware of India’s soft cultural diplomacy functioning in tandem to move forward with its political and economic strategies. Sutra Foundation, which has been at the forefront of this aspect of cultural diplomacy with India for the last 4 decades, presented a scintillating Odissi. It then surprised the guests with a fiesty Bollywood number which was also highly appreciated by the guests. Sutra. </video> <video> Mohiniyattam Workshop by Dr Neena Prasad (14 Sept 2024) Sutra House Description: Dear Friends, Padma Nrithyalaya Arts (Seremban) and Sutra Foundation were honoured to host a Mohiniyattam workshop by eminent danseuse and guru, Dr Neena Prasad at Sutra on 14 September (Sat), 2024. Mohiniyattam, an Indian classical dance style originally for women, from the State of Kerala, is yet to have a strong foothold in Kuala Lumpur. Though we have witnessed several performances of Mohiniyattam in Kuala Lumpur, we don’t as yet, have an institution teaching Mohiniyattam regularly, here. Thanks to Guru Vinosree Shangkar of Padma Nrithyalaya Arts, Sutra was fortunate to have Neena Ji herself to give a most erudite exposition of the nritta and abhinaya techniques of this lyrical classical style. Neena Ji also spoke briefly on the consolidation of the teaching methodology and repertoire within Mohiniyattam pioneers. Dr Neena Prasad, Sangeet Natak Awardee (Central Govt), trained In Mohiniyattam under Kalamandalam Suganthi and Kshemavathi. She is a versatile and accomplished artist versed in bharatanatyam, kuchipudi and kathakali having learnt from prominent gurus such as the late Adyar K Lakshman, Vempati Chinna Satyam and Vembayam Appuluttan, respectively. She eventually returned to her first love Mohiniyattam - as a dancer, academician and researcher. Meeting Neena Ji at Sutra was for me a special occasion, having once learnt from the same bharatanatyam guru, Lakshman Sir. Neena Ji and I, had also performed on the same festival platforms on several occasions. Dr Neena Prasad is founder of Bharathanjali Academy of Indian Dances in Thiruvananthapuram. “My passion elevates my dance into an inward realm of meditation” Neena Prasad. Ramli #mohiniyattam #workshop #indianclassicaldance #drneenaprasad #abhinaya #nritta #natyam #sutrafoundation #padmanrithyalayaarts </video> <video> 'We are actually made of star-stuff!' - Tan Sri Mazlan Othman (Meniti Cakerawala) Description: 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞 𝘾𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙖 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 & 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙨 Sutra Foundation supported by ArtsFAS, an initiative by Yayasan Hasanah presents Meniti Cakerawala The Science & Romance of The Cosmos with Tan Sri Mazlan Othman 04 - 08 December, 2024 Wed - Sun | 8.30pm Auditorium Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur Book Now! https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/2601-meniti-cakerawala (05 & 08 December) Dear friends, ‘Meniti Cakerawala’ is a multi-media dance-theatre production incorporating dance, film, art, music and poetry with voices by Muhammad Haji Salleh, Johan Jaaffar, Mano Maniam & Chacko Vadaketh and art by Jalaini Abu Hassan, that will blast you on a cosmic experience! Mazlan Othman is a unique storyteller unraveling the tale of how stars have to die for us to exist and how ‘we are actually made of star-stuff!’ Meniti Cakerawala will see it's Gala World Premiere on 4 December 2024. Book now! https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/2601-meniti-cakerawala (05 & 08 December) Sutra #meniticakerawala #art #science #poetry #music #dance #theatre #MazlanOthman #ramliibrahim #valerieross #leslievariyan #surpriseventures #Vivekmenon #JohanJaaffar #muhammadhajisalleh #jalainiabuhassan #jayalakshmisekhar #kamarulbaisah #sivarajahnatarajan #sutrafoundation #SutraDanceTheatre #YayasanHasanah #ArtsFAS #ArtsForAllSeasons </video> <video> 18th Debaprasad Award Festival Description: Dear Friends, The 18th Guru Debaprasad Award celebration held on 26 & 27 Oct, 2024 at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar, was a significant Odissi annual event in the 2024 cultural calendar of Bhubaneswar. For its presenter, Tridhara, and founder & artistic director, Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda, the Festival is a significant flagship event for the Debaprasad Parampara. (The organiser of the Festival, the latter which was supposed to he held for three days on 25, 26 & 27 Oct, was compelled to present it for two days instead of three, as Bhubaneswar had faced a compulsory shutdown due to cyclone Dana that affected Odisha). Through the high profile of the Award Festival and the efforts of Guru Gajendra Panda, the legacy of the Debaprasad Parampara is able to live on and be sustained. Awards were presented under two categories - the Lifetime Achievement Award for senior artists and the Prativa Award for outstanding junior artists for both Classical music and dance. For the Dance category, two of the three awardees of The Guru Debaprasad Award, were Malaysians - eminent Bharatanatyam dancer, Guru Ajith Bhaskaran Das (founder of Suvarna Fine Arts, Johor) and the highly talented Sutra principal dancer, Vickeshwaran Gunasegar. The other Prativa awardee, Kathak dancer Smt Rupa Rani Borah, hailed from Guwahati, Assam. The Dance Lifetime Achievement awardees were Odissi veterans, Guru Mayadhar Raut, Madhavi Mudgal and Chitra Visweswaran (all three are Padma Shri awardees). Madhavi Mudgal and Chitra Visweswaran, both in their 70s, each gave a soulful performance, that touched the heart of audiences. Sutra opened the Festival on the 26 Oct with its much appreciated Odissi production, 'An Invitation to Odissi' followed by two solo works by Ajith Bhaskaran Das (Bharatanatyam) and Kathak dancer, Rupa Rani Borah. Tridhara dancers performed a spectacular production inspired by the Ramayana, the highlight of the last evening as a closure to a Festival, that showcased the best of the Debaprasad Odissi parampara. Sutra #Debaprasad #awardfestival #prativa #awards #vickneshwaran #principaldancer #sutrafoundation #sutradancers #Tridhara #bhubaneswar #Odisha #odissi #ramliibrahim #ajithdas #suvarnafinearts </video> <video> ‘Living History Project’ (19 Sept 2024) Mandarin Palace, Federal Hotel Description: Dear Friends, Sutra gave a much appreciated performance at the ‘Living History Project’ dinner celebration on the night of 19 Sept 2024, held at Mandarin Palace, Federal Hotel attended by ‘who’s who’ in the Arts world. It was an elegant event paying homage to Arts & Culture over sumptuous cuisine of the Mandarin Palace. Tan Mei Mei, Renuka and Nishah Govind with Ramli Ibrahim, performed the Malam Bulan di Pagar Bintang excerpt for this event. The ‘Living History Project’ is a not-for-profit initiative. It is Malaysia’s first digital museum archiving the narratives of those who have contributed to the nation. The founders are also intent on preserving, safeguarding and democratising our nation's heritage and history, and to make this content available as a free resource. The initiative is the brainchild of co-founders Bobby Wong and Nafhah Liyana. We look forward to more exciting things of Arts & Culture initiated by this institution! Sutra #thelivinghistoryproject #ArtsAndCulture #BobbyWong #MandarinPalace #federalhotel #kualalumpur #ramliibrahim #sutrafoundation #pramlee #malambulandipagarbintang </video> <video> Radha Prem Leela Description: Dear Friends, Our trip to the village of Pandia, Ganjam (Odisha) to view a performance of Radha Prem Leela, a declining folk form of South Odisha, on the 28 October (the next day right after the final day of the Debaprasad Award Festival, Bhubaneswar) turned out to be a fulfilling cultural outing. The rain was pelting when we decided to turn back after a superb lunch at a nearby dhaba, in Pandia. However, upon returning, a few kilometres later the monsoonal rain magically stopped. We decided to turn back to Pandia when we found that the Radha Prem Leela ‘party’ was preparing to start. When we reached the village again, the main courtyard was already bustling with activity of preparation. And we weren’t disappointed! The troupe under the helm of Guru Yudisthira was excellent both in its dance-theatre and also in the music presentation. The artistes performing were refreshingly young but were very well trained. They delivered their performance with earthy gusto and confidence. Guru Gajendra Panda was immensely pleased and kept going up the stage several times to pin rupee-notes on the artistes’ sleeves. (Apparently, this was the traditional way of showing one’s appreciation). The young actors had star-quality. The 3 singers and musicians, too, were excellent and kept up the high energy needed to engage the rustic audience who were themselves, connoisseurs. They would leave if the performance was below par. Just nearby, another party, a Bharat Leela one, had also set their tent and could easily attract the Radha Prem Leela audience for a viewing alternative. Even in a village like Pandia, the competition was steep. Culturally satiated and inspired, we returned at night fall, when the performance was still in progress. It would possibly run past midnight as the performance had started late due to the rain. Ramli #Ganjam #pandia #RadhaPremLeela #Odisha #odissi #raw #village #india #malaysia #odissi </video> <video> Meniti Cakerawala (Rehearsal Promo) Description: Meniti Cakerawala- The Science & Romance of the Cosmos with Tan Sri Mazlan Othman 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞 𝘾𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙖 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 & 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙏𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙧𝙞 𝙈𝙖𝙯𝙡𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝟬𝟰 - 𝟬𝟴 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗪𝗲𝗱 - 𝗦𝘂𝗻 | 𝟴.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝗞𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗡𝗼𝘄! https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/2601-meniti-cakerawala Dear Friends, Sutra Foundation in association with Yayasan Hasanah & ArtsFas, presents Meniti Cakerawala, the science and romance of the cosmos. Celebrated Malaysian astrophysicist, Tan Sri Mazlan Othman tells us that everything in this planet of ours called Earth, were once ‘manufactured’ in some distant star that had died and blasted off its guts in space, in a massive supernova cosmic explosion. This occurred some billions of years ago, even before our Sun and Earth came into being. Therefore, we have an ancient and deep connection with the cosmos! We are, therefore, made of ‘star-stuff’. In a critical phenomenon called the Big Bang, Time, Space, Matter & Energy came into existence some 13.6 billion years ago. This phenomenon can now be detected from the remnant radiation from this creation of the Universe. Can you imagine that there are more than 2 trillion galaxies, other than the Milky Way galaxy of ours? It will take light one hundred thousand years to travel across our galaxy! It may be impossible to imagine the extent of the Cosmos which may stretch to infinity! Scientists only know 5% of our cosmos; the rest are still unknown and are called dark matter and dark energy. You and I may even live in a multi-verse - as also inferred by eastern spiritual mystics! Therefore, in the context of the cosmos, our planet Earth is a minutiae, even smaller than a speck of dust in the immense and timeless ocean of stars and planets. Dare we ask what is the meaning of this miracle existence called human life in the context of the cosmos? Come to Meniti Cakerawala, a multi-media experience where music, dance, poetry, narration are used to tell the story of the cosmos by Tan Sri Mazlan Othman. Come to be stirred by this cosmic connections! The experience may even provide the answer to your own version of the ‘meaning of Life’! Video by - Vanizha Vasanthanathan #meniticakerawala #art #science #poetry #music #dance #theatre #MazlanOthman #ramliibrahim #valerieross #leslievariyan #surpriseventures #Vivekmenon #JohanJaaffar #muhammadhajisalleh #jalainiabuhassan #jayalakshmisekhar #kamarulbaisah #sivarajahnatarajan #sutrafoundation #SutraDanceTheatre #YayasanHasanah #ArtsFAS #ArtsForAllSeasons </video> <video> ‘Chromatic Memories’ by Eric Peris (15 Sept 2024) Sutra Gallery Description: Dear Friends, Eric Peris’ _‘Chromatic Memories’_ at Sutra Gallery (15 Sept, 2024) was a good enough excuse to bring a significant arts community (circa 80s & 90s), for a treat of visual and narrated arts-journey get together. _‘Chromatic Memories’_ is a series of Eric’s hand-coloured works some taken decades ago in Bali and in different parts of Malaysia. These nostalgic memory-pieces took on ‘a fresh remembrance of things past’, by the sheer power of suggestion of colours, hand-touched by a Master. Eric invests soul to each of his works as they assume a certain aura, awakening an uncanny _‘deja vu’_ within the mind’s eye of the viewer. Sutra Gallery was abuzz with the intense camaraderie as artist-friends came to pay homage to O Don Eric Peris, a Malaysian icon of photography, who is now at the venerable age of 85. Of course, Eric deserves all the love and admiration as he is the rare artist who has been true to his Art. Eric represents the spirit-beacon of what the Artist aspires to be. Eric’s muse has always been his family - all his exhibitions have been dedicated to his late father, mother, sister and even to a long-lost brother who passed on before Eric was born. It was simply touching, meeting so many old friends coming in droves to celebrate octogenarian Eric’s effort to continue being creative. All the more amazing that _‘Chromatic Memories’_ follows the trail of Eric’s year long restropective exhibition at the National Gallery that ended only this June, 2024. Typically, Eric is already plotting energetically his next series of works, a joint exhibition with photographer KF Choy in January, 2025. Make sure, you are in town to celebrate and experience the relished stunning life-cycle visual works! Sutra. </video> <video> An Invitation To Odissi (27 - 29 Sept 2024) Bobo KL Description: 𝗔𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶 𝗯𝘆 𝗚𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗦𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗧𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗶 𝗠𝗲𝗶 & 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗦𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗸 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗶 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝟮𝟳 - 𝟮𝟵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗙𝗿𝗶 - 𝗦𝘂𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗯𝗼 𝗞𝗟 Dear Friends, Finally ‘Invitation to Odissi’ premieres in KL! Having been successfully performed at The Wood Factory (Ipoh), Chennai, New Delhi and most recently in Bangalore, this acclaimed Odissi work can finally be savoured in BoBo, KL - a novel venue indeed and also the first for Sutra. Invitation to Odissi at BoBo is an intimate dance-theatre of three dancers, introducing the audience to the essential information, not only of the Odissi parampara (lineage) of the pioneer Odissi guru, the late Guru Debaprasad Das, but also the history and aesthetics behind the appreciation of Indian classical dance. Danced by principal Sutra dancers Geethika Sree, Vickneshwaran and Tan Mei Mei, this production is stringed together by a Sutradhara in the person of Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, the artistic director who conceived and scripted it. Audience will find the compelling dance and explanation not only insightful in their appreciation of Odissi but will also enjoy the banter between Sean Ghazi, the man behind BoBo (who is himself a dancer), and Ramli Ibrahim of Sutra Foundation, both pioneers in their own fields. Recently BoBo has started to introduce dance, a fresh departure from its usual offering of Jazz, R&B and Comedy. To aficionados of dance theatre in KL - DON’T miss this chance to experience Odissi in this spicy cabaret setting! Sutra #aninvitationtoodissi #sutradancers #odissi #Debaprasad #gurudebaprasaddas #parampara #ramliibrahim #sutrafoundation #geethikasree #tanmeimei #vickneshwaran #bobokl #seangazi #kualalumpur </video> <video> Invitation to Odissi New Delhi 2024 Description: Dear Friends, ‘Invitation to Odissi’ has been well received by audiences wherever we perform it. Our most recent performance at The Kamani, New Delhi, for the International Festival of Indian Dance (presented by Sangeet Natak Akademi) on 20 Oct 2024, confirmed it. Audience, consisting of many stalwarts of different dance disciplines, from far flung parts of India and the world, were present. They seemed appreciative and could relate to the presentation, which gave insight to the Guru Debaprasad Odissi tradition. Sutra dancers Geethika Sree, Tan Mei Mei, Harenthiran & Vickneshwaran held the audience spellbound and gave Odissi repertoire of the Debaprasad parampara a compelling group rendition. I was able to sneak out to see the first segment of the night - a marvellous and refreshing presentation of Piyal Bhattacharya's (Chidakash Kalalay Centre of Art & Divinity) Uparoopak Bhaanak, inspired by the aesthetics of Natyashastra. The presentation released us from the straight-jacketed discipline that many of the classical modes have now become entrapped. The audience gave the group a standing ovation. The Festival was also meaningful as it gathered many old friends, some whom I have not met for decades. I was delighted to meet Daksha Sheth, Uttara Coorlawala, Sharon Lowen, Sudharani Raghupathy, Guru Rabindra Atibudhi, Gautam (lighting designer), Madhavi Mudgal and Arushi, Jyoti Shrivastava, Shagun Butani and many others. These are the Les enfants du Paradis of dance who had shared and travelled the same road at one point when our different journeys had met. We hugged and looked at each other in amazement; we haven’t changed much except for the lines on our faces revealing that much water had passed under the bridge. The festival brought junior and senior ‘soldiers’ of Dance, or shall we repeat ol’ Martha G's apt description of ‘Clowns of Gods’ under one roof! New friends were enlisted and were eager to help us wherever they could. The coordination of our sound would not have been so smooth without Ankita Kumari from Debadhara of Guru Vinayak Panda. And this lovely video was crafted lovingly by Sanjeev Mumar Jena from Rudrakshya Foundation (Bhubaneswar) who was on the way to Pune to give the final homage to our beloved architect friend Christopher Benninger who recently left us. And Life continues to be offered creatively on both the physical stages and in the inner landscapes of our hearts. We trust that SNA will be continue to send in the future ‘new clowns’ to populate the Stage. As we, the old dancers faded out as ‘brown dwarfs’ of the galaxies…I am reminded of Carl Sagan who said, “An old star has to die in order for us to live!” Yes, the young artists have to take note! Ramli #odissi #odissidance #indianclassicaldance #newdelhi </video> <video> Bharatanatyam Parents' Day, Navarathri (5 Oct 2024) Amphi-Sutra Description: Dear Friends, Parents’ Day Bharatanatyam 5 Oct, 2024 Amphi- Sutra 3rd Day, Navarathri. The Bharatanatyam Parents’ Day held at Amphi-Sutra for Sutra students at 9am of the 3rd day of Navarathri (5 October, 2024) was a magical dance presentation. Indeed, we would miss a special event if it was not recorded and told. There was something about the combination of the perfect morning, the gathering together of parents with their wards and the beautiful homage to Dance which transformed the informal occasion into a lovely and ‘divine’ Navarathri morning gift for all of us. It must be noted that the whole session was organised by the ‘senior young’ dancers of Sutra who took it in their strides to take over from their Bharatanatyam teacher, Rathimalar Govindarajoo who left for Australia, just before Navarathri. Special mention has to be made for teacher Deepa and Tharanitha for their efforts and leadership to bring this morning session so enjoyably for us. The dancers came wearing their uniform, elegantly made up wearing simple _netti chuttis_ and ankle bells. They must have come rather early in the morning to prepare themselves. What came across was a very well organised dance session of junior and senior dancers showing discipline and development in class. Well done, dancers and teachers! “It’s so beautiful! Sutra must have more of these dance presentations at Amphi-Sutra in the morning!”, a keen parent enthusiastically remarked. Ramli </video>

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Sutra Foundation is a tribute to Art and strives to bring alive both traditional and contemporary performing arts in Malaysia.

Sutra Foundation 5 Sutra Foundation is a tribute to Art and strives to bring alive both traditional and contemporary
performing arts in Malaysia.

The Foundation is an offering unto the creative spirit that transcends all boundaries where the flour- ish of the dancer, the stroke of the painter and the melody of the musician are held in equal measure.

A legacy bequeathed to Malaysia by one of its most celebrated sons, Ramli Ibrahim, the Sutra Foun- dation carries into the future the thread of his vision and contribution to the Malaysian arts scene.

The Foundation embraces Sutra Dance Theatre which, since its formation in 1983, has played an enormous role in enhancing the Malaysian performing arts scene. Deeply entrenched in an ethos that celebrates diversity, the Sutra Foundation is a nucleus of activity where various ethnic cultures come together to forge a

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