The Sutra Foundation presents Tarikan!, a Sutra Dance Festival, that will kick off on Thursday, Aug 30. Its name means both “tari-kan!”, or dance, and “tarikan”, or attraction. It is under the artistic direction of Ramli Ibrahim and promises

both contemporary modern dance productions and Odissi works that will provide you an opportunity to savour the beauty of dance. Here is a list of the shows in the festival, with details and synopsis.

Transfigurations: She Ra and Panjara
Aug 30-Sept 2 (8.30pm)
Venue: Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Jalan Strachan, Sentul, KL.
Tickets: RM43
Tel: (03) 4047 9000
www.klpac.org
Transfigurations features the world premiere of two contemporary modern works choreographed by Dutch-born Kalpana Raghuraman (Korzo Theater, The Hague) and Sutra choreographer, Rathimalar Govindarajoo. These performances examine myths, the archetypes of mythology and how their avatars perpetuate these in our contemporary psyches through various transfigurations.

She Ra
Concept and choreography: Kalpana Raghuraman
Music composer: Simone Giacomini

The world of Indian mythology has many impressive personalities in the form of gods, goddesses, kings, queens or animals. They are known for what they do or bring to people as well as a symbol of a value.

In Kalpana’s self-conceptualised performance, she performs with Sutra dancers and explores characters from Indian mythology who are their own inspiration. The dance is an inspiration for all, asking the audience “Is there a way that these superheroes can inspire us enough so that we become our own superheroes?”

Panjara
Concept and choreography: Rathimalar Govindarajoo
Music composer: Edwin Anand

In myths, women are identified with creation and protection, as well as fertility and reproduction. However, in reality especially where Asian women are concerned, the picture is far from that described by the myths. In fact, the cultures which have given birth to these myths oppress women.

Conceptualised and choreographed by Rathimalar, the dance takes a look at whether the world today can ever see a re-connection with the “super-woman” avatars in ancient myths.

Sutrarasa
Sept 5 & 6 (8.30pm)
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Universiti Malaya, Jalan Pantai, KL
Tickets: RM30, RM50
Tel: (03) 4021 1092
Email: [email protected]

Sutrarasa was originally conceptualised by Ramli and featured in the International Dance Festival in Delhi presented by ICCR (2010) where it was performed by January Low. It was then taken on tour throughout Europe, Bangkok and

Mumbai. For the performance in Tarikan!, the show will feature Ramli himself, along with one of his students, Geethika Sree. Sutrarasa invites the audience to “rasa” (experience) the evolution of Sutra Dance Theatre’s Odissi repertoire.

Pallavi
Sept 7-9 (8.30pm)
Venue: Experimental Theatre, Universiti Malaya, Jalan Pantai, KL
Tickets: RM30, RM50
Tel: (03) 4021 1092
Email: [email protected]

The final production of Tarikan!, Pallavi is a contemporary interpretation of an Odissi dance featuring artistes of the Sutra Dance Theatre. Rearranged for group composition by Guna and Ramli Ibrahim, the show has been given the “Sutra touch”, which subtly transforms and layers the dances. It will feature some of Sutra Dance Theatre’s best young talents and the renowned Guna.