Budiey
MAXIS & SUTRA FOUNDATION proudly present Odissi Stirred
Artistic Direction: Ramli Ibrahim Lighting & Set Design: Sivarajah Natarajan Sharmini Tiruchelvam/Sabera Shaik as the Narrator with Ramli Ibrahim, Guna, Revathi, Rathimalar Govindarajoo, Tan Mei Mei, Nishah Devi Govind, Divya Nair, Sivagamavalli, Michelle Chang, Geethika Sree, Thrisherna, Joytsnaa, Gauthami, Kiwashini, Vetheejay, Abhiramavalli & Harenthiran.
Odissi Stirred features works from contemporary Odissi choreographers: Sharmila Biswas (Kolkata), Madhavi Mudgal (New Delhi) and Ramli Ibrahim and Guna (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). Each choreography draws upon and is inspired by the Odissi tradition — while one choreography takes us back to its roots from its folk and rural tradition of games and drums, another moves us beyond to the experimental, creating new works with compelling images and messages.
Odissi Stirred is a program designed to give the audience broad-based points of embarkation in the appreciation of the evolution of present day Odissi which has become one of the most dynamic of the Indian classical dance styles. In this program, one encounters tribal and folk elements of music and dance which had originally fed the newly reconstructed classical Odissi repertoire, now regarded as sacrosanct. One is given a glimpse of the power and versatility of this re-constructed Indian classical style to transcend national barriers in its trans-cultural journey to inspire works with universal themes.
Maxis Berhad is proud to once again present the Sutra Foundation’s evolution of Odissi dance. Said Maxis’ Chief Executive Officer Sandip Das, “Odissi Stirred, is a spectacular creation, because it brings together and ties into a gripping knot many wonderful strings, of what surrounds us.”
“The Sutra Foundation is a tribute to this dance form, as season after another, it not only continues to unfurl Malaysian dancing talent, but through its founder the redoubtable Ramli Ibrahim pushes the frontiers of this dance… giving it new life in contemporary surroundings and new meaning amongst modern audiences. For someone like me, who belongs to the birthplace of Odissi, I have no hesitation in placing him among the finest exponents of this art across the world. This is a jewel in our own midst!”
“Keeping us all human and staying connected to each other and the world around us, is in many ways, at the very core of our own business. This is why, it has not been uncommon for Communication companies such as us, to actively support the Performing Arts. Maxis, given the opportunity, is at the forefront of showcasing Malaysian talent. It is our privilege, to be supporting Odissi Stirred.”
Program
Evocations (20 mins)
Evocations evokes the pulse of Odissi by giving us glimpses of its component elements: tribal, folk, sabda (traditional verses cited in declamatory fashion) and the percussion (ghanta /cymbal and mardala / drum) traditions. It is these essential elements which contributed to the present ‘re-constructed’ contemporary Odissi repertoire. ‘Evocations’, a result of Sharmila’s extensive research in the inter-disciplinary contribution of the above elements to Odissi, projects their significant role in the creative process in a major formation of the contemporary Odissi repertoire. ‘Evocations’ also reminds us of the vital and rich folk traditions of dance and drumming of Orissa.
Choreographer: Sharmila Biswas (Artistic director of Odissi Vision and Movement Centre, Kolkata) Music arrangement by Ramahari Das and Dhanu Reddy, compiled from materials gathered by Sharmila Biswas. Dancers: All
Pallavan (23 mins)
Pallavan a composition of Madhavi Mudgal, one of India’s celebrated Odissi dancers and dance makers. The Pallavan is mainly a pure dance that celebrates the architectonics of Odissi through the vehicle of the female body and spirit. Basic stances and postures of the square chowka and the tribhanga, the three bends of head, torso and hip, combine to form a dignified composite movement through a regulated rhythmic structure, providing a framework around which an efflorescence or pallavan can take place. Five basic rhythmic structures or jatis comprising 9, 7, 5, 4 and 3 beats, each of which yields its characteristic form, is visualized in this item.
Choreographer: Madhavi Mudgal Music arrangement by Madhup Mudgal Dancers: 2 casts for different nights.
Kamala (20 mins)
Kamala explores the concept of devotion and piety inspired by eastern and western mythic images related to the ‘Mother Goddess’, the Madonna and Shakti. The lotus and the rose, flowers of great joy and delight, represent metaphors of auspiciousness, beauty and grace. Images of Purusha, Siva and Jesus provide the complement Male Principle.
Choreography: Ramli Ibrahim & Guna Music by: Tania, Aruna Sairam, Dominique Vellard & Bombay Jayshree Dancers: 2 casts for different nights.
