I would like to begin with Master Ramli Ibrahim's words about this production :
" ..the River Sutra symbol represents many things. It is the metaphoric cultural river that snakes through the nation, cross-fertilising, continuously evolving and ever-creating from the various influences a potent melange in a cultural couldron that defies absolute categorization. It is an organic process of assimilation of life's essence and rasas !"
As i watched Sutra Dance Theatre's latest contemporary production called " RIVER SUTRA" in KL...i couldnt help imagining the whole show to be a dance of the rivers...and thought ..So thats how it is when the rivers dance:)
The flow and synchronization , the falls and lifts, the colours and lights, the swirls and runs...was just as beautiful as a flowing river , so beautifully choreographed with such soothing lighting and stage , and above all the mood created, just as calm as it is by the rivers...so, i have to say it was just PERFECT !
I was a little touched by this show for a few reasons...first of all, my sister Nithya was part of this show and its her first time with them in such a big production of Sutra. So, i was of course a proud "akka" ( elder sis ) watching her dance. Below is a picture i snapped of her expressing such calmness and serenity...i love this picture for it shows how dance or any other art form can get into ones soul, lifting their spirit to such peaceful and joyful state which otherwise can only be attained by hours of meditations !! I mean why sit still when you can dance !? haha :):)
Second, this show was a Malaysian version of Indian classical dance, infused with many other genres such as the "Wayang Kulit" and ballet. It is true that we Malaysians are like garam masala ...a mixture of all spices ! So, obviously you cant help sprinkling some into the dance ...and the best part is, it turns out to be pretty amazing :)
Third, the costumes by Ming Walker aka Janet Khoo is simply gorgeous. The reflections of colours on stage, just as magical as it is when the light touches the water....
Fourth, i can never get enough of my favourite Sutra dancers like Tan Mei Mei, Nisha Devi, Divya Nair , Geethika Sree and of course the Master Ramli Ibrahim himself. So, NO ! i wouldnt miss their production !!
And i have no words to describe the Lighting and Set Designer Sivarajah Natarajan who ALWAYS creates a pandora like atmosphere the moment you step into the hall ! You can see the first picture above of the stage and please tell me if i am exaggerating ! :)
And this time, the highlight of the whole show was this piece called Suasana, an improvisation on various moods and the effect of the movements and images when its connected to the moods of music and lighting. And i was totally absorbed with the expressions of this one dancer, Nisha Devi who is also an assistant artistic director and well known among the Sutra family and friends as the Abhinaya Queen for her ability to express the rasas so beautifully. This time, she did it again ! I would say i was totally glued to her expressions and even ignored what the rest of the dancers were doing all around her on the stage. I believe only years and years of dedication and extreme hardwork could bring out such talents !
Here she is ....
For those of you who have seen the ad on Astro or newspapers but thinking if you would enjoy it or not, please be assured you would love it. And the good news is River Sutra will be flowing through the nation....from Kota Kinabalu to Putrajaya ! For more information please log on at :
And catch .....
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| THE FLOW |
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| THE SHIMMER |
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| THE SPLASH |
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| THE DRIFT |
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| THE FALL |
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| THE SWIRL |
....all at RIVER SUTRA .......
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