The Sutra Foundation is hosting an event titled “First Sighting, A Homecoming for Sutra Bharatanatyam” at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) from 14th to 18th of February 2024, commencing at 8.30pm. Sutra Foundation, established in 2007, serves as a bastion for both traditional and contemporary arts in Malaysia. Founded by Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, this tax-exempt foundation is dedicated to securing and preserving its rich cultural legacy for the benefit of future generations.
The event’s artistic direction done by Rathimalar Govindarajoo and Ishwar Muthkumaran. Datuk Ramli Ibrahim is the mentor of this event. Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, a distinguished Malaysian choreographer and classical ballet dancer. He was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2018, recognizing his significant contributions to the Odissi dance form. Renowned for founding the Sutra Dance Theatre and Sutra Foundation, he has dedicated himself to fostering an appreciation for traditional dance forms. The event is poised to be a splendid affair under the mentorship of Datuk Ramli, reflecting his rich expertise and commitment to the cultural arts.
The lighting design for the event has been meticulously crafted by Sivarajah Natarajan. The performance is anticipated to showcase eight talented artists, namely Rathimalar Govindarajoo, Ishwar Muthkumaran, Kanishha Guna Balan, Tishaa Ishaana Villyn, Uma Devi Subramaniam, Haraniya Kanaparan, Kaaviyashri Tamil Maran, and Geneieve Shakty.
Through the presentation of ‘First Sighting,’ Sutra Foundation seeks to address and bring awareness to the existing situation in the landscape of bharatanatyam. The organization expresses confidence in achieving this objective, leveraging the dynamic leadership of Rathimalar Govindarajoo and Ishwar Muthkumaran. These two accomplished dancer-teachers play pivotal roles in guiding and shaping Sutra’s bharatanatyam faculty, infusing the event with a sense of vibrant energy and expertise.
Rathimalar, originally groomed in bharatanatyam at Sutra, rose to prominence as a dance luminary within the contemporary realm, collaborating notably with the Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company in the UK. In contrast, Ishwar Muthkumaran represents the opposite spectrum, deeply rooted in the traditional Tanjore Quartet heritage.
The front-row audience can look forward to an engaging fusion of modernity within a profoundly traditional framework during the event. This promises a captivating experience as the performance artfully weaves together contemporary elements in a harmonious blend with the rich traditions of the art form.
For more information about the event, please contact 019-333 1092 or visit the website.
Source: Sutra Foundation Facebook
