COMMENT An Indian classical dance performance?

I must confess to being dismayed when a loved one insisted we attend after receiving an invitation to the opening night show.

Reluctantly, I drove to the Damansara Performing Art Centre, snailing along the grid-locked roads, made worse by the torrential downpour.

We arrived about 15 minutes late, and were ushered to our seats in the dark.

On the stage before us, Ramli Ibrahim and his Sutra Dance Company were showcasing their latest Odissi offering ‘Amorous Delight’ - Amarushataka - which ends this Sunday.

But as the show proceeded, I could not help but succumb to the seduction of the progeny of the Goddess of Art.

Passion and devotion - these are the two words which come to mind to describe Ramli, his intricate expressions and graceful movements.

I wondered how a 63-year-old person could exude such tremendous vigour.

One could only speculate that it emanated from a reservoir deep within his soul that is devoted to the art, lives and breathes it, and therefore never runs dry.

The other dancers were nothing short of remarkable as well. We, the audience, were treated to a wide spectrum of emotions - love, adulation, anger, sorrow, and even lust.

The emotions were exhibited and executed in the most delicate of manners, for example, a glint of impishness in the eyes, or a beatific smile.

Ramli and his dancers managed to communicate the feelings of their characters to the audience in the absence of language, spoken and written.

Their movements and expressions sufficed for one to understand the complexities in human relationships that were being portrayed.

I felt excited, relaxed, peaceful and light-hearted. The meditative effect surprised me.

Prior to this, the only time such feelings were aroused is when I am riding my motorcycle along the countryside, with the wind in my face, and the serenade of the exhaust note in the background.

Being someone who is untrained and unfamiliar with Indian classical dance, I would not have been aware of the mistakes and missteps, if any, that night.

But as far as I was concerned, the performance was simply flawless.

And judging by the rapturous applause from the audience, I suppose the others felt the same as well.

I arrived at the venue wearing a frown, and left with a smile.

So thank you Ramli and Sutra Dance Company for the memorable experience.

And thank you for continuing to serve as an inspiration and beacon to the younger generation of Malaysians irrespective of race and religion.

The beauty of art is that it knows not colour nor creed, and Malaysia could do with more dancers who bring the message of unity than politicians who divide.

Ramli Ibrahim has good reason to dance for joy

This article is by RK ANAND, who is a member of the Malaysiakini team.