Sutra Dance Theatre (Malaysia)

The spirit of sutra

Over the last twenty years, sutra house has become one of the finest Arts centres in Southeast Asia.  In the same way that the large leafy trees were nurtured to their full height and breadth, dancers, musicians and actors have flourished in the atmosphere of Sutra.  With its dance studio, art gallery, extensive library, a 200-seat amphitheatre and a comfortable warung on the first floor, Sutra House is a vibrant center for interdisciplinary discussions and the continual flow of self-expression and creativity.  The sound of brass bells, when not emerging from a dancer's ankles, comes from the collars of dogs and cats who reside in Sutra House.

Sutra Academy
Sutra stays true to the original concept of teacher-student relationship that is beyond teaching and learning – it is something unexplainable and sublime.  As dancer who has mastered three major world dance techniques, Ramli encourages his students to open their minds and hearts to all forms of dance.  The training method he uses captures the essence of classical Western ballet, Indian classical dance and contemporary dances.  There is something about Sutra-bred Indian classical dancers like Rathimalar, Guna, January, Shantona, Revathi, Divya, Sivagamavalli, Nishah Devi and Tan Mei Mei that is beyond just talent.

Amphi-Sutra
The sky is the ceiling of Sutra’s theatre where a night bird might dive a flutter past a dancer’s shoulder; a dried leaf might float gently down to land by her feet.  With the sun, moon and stars as its props and luxuriant foliage as its curtain, the Ampi-sutra with a seating capacity of 200, provides a mystical setting that can take the audience back 2,000 years, and return them to present day with as much easy, Organic and fluid, Amphi-sutra has staged performances ranging from Indian classical dances to Celtic music, Japanese shakuhachi and contemporary dancers.

Ramli Ibrahim - Choreographer/Artistic Director/Dancer

Described by international dance connoisseurs as one of the finest artistes of his generation, Ramli Ibrahim has set stages ablaze in venerated centres of dance from Australia and India to Paris for more than three decades. His rigorous training in ballet, modern and Indian classical dance reflects not only his diverse technical accomplishments, but also his multifaceted approach to the arts. As artistic director and principal choreographer of the Sutra Dance Theatre, he has been a fountain of creativity, conceiving stunning works with a personal signature and distinctive Malaysian identity. Ramli, the guru, has nurtured some of the brightest talents to have emerged in the field of dance, many of whom have won international acclaim in both traditional and contemporary scenes. Ramli, the visionary, has been instrumental in transforming the dance scenario in Malaysia by boldly charting new paths and opening up fresh vistas through his innate yearning to embrace diverse art forms. Today, he is known for single-handedly establishing Odissi as a recognisable and widely appreciated dance form in this country, while creating a distinctively Malaysian interpretation of this ancient dance tradition. As a pioneer, Ramli is recognised nationally as a cultural icon and a dynamic force within the arts scene, evident in the various accolades conferred upon him including the Fulbright Distinguished Artist Award ‘99,the Lifetime Achievement (BOH Cameronian) Award ‘03, ANGARAG Lifetime Achievement Award ‘06 (Guru Deba Prasad Institute, Orissa), Johan Setia Mahkota (J.S.M.) and Anugerah Karyawan Seni ‘06.

http://www.tropentheater.nl/TT/70688/Tropentheater/Educatie/Masterclasses-en-Workshops/India—-Ramli-Ibrahim

RasaSutra

Video Gallery

Sutra Dance Theater 1		Sutra Dance Theater 2		Sutra Dance Theater 3		Sutra Dance Theater 4

Sutra Dance Theater 5		Sutra Dance Theater - Duet 1		Sutra Dance Theater - Duet 2

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