KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — For more than three decades, Datuk Ramli Ibrahim danced with energy, passion and fervour that is unrivalled among his peers.
In numbers, that translates to performances in 80 cities globally with an estimated half a million viewers.
Trained in ballet, modern and Indian classical dances, Ramli is also known for establishing odissi as as a recognisable dance form in Malaysia.
However, as a Malay and by default a Muslim, his identity is often questioned by those who noted that the performances of the classical Indian dances have strong religious influences.
For Ramli, it doesn’t get any easier with the decades.
“Theoretically it’s not an issue but practically it is. Although Malaysia is multicultural, the (elements of) partisanship is still there.
“But I must say that there has been progress. Aswara (National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage), for example, promote dances such as odissi, and I must congratulate Joseph Gonzales (Aswara Dance faculty dean) for that.
“In reality, my problem is that I’m getting too good in one particular work. But the world is now global. There are those doing Chinese opera and (ethnically) not Chinese,” Ramli explains.
The odissi maestro was recently honoured at the Royal Arts Gala, an annual event masterminded by My Performing Arts Agency to support and raise funds for the performing arts.
Ramli was presented with a Royal Medallion for the Creative Arts (Anugerah Tokoh Seni Kreatif) for his contributions to the performing arts.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Ramli admits that there is still much work to be done to promote local performances despite the recognition.
“There is definitely more awareness but it has been too centralised in Kuala Lumpur. That is why I love to take my performances to other places in Malaysia.”
He is currently working on an odissi performance, to be presented by his Sutra Dance Academy under the Sutra Foundation, called Krishna, Love Re-invented.
It is set to be staged in Kuala Lumpur next month, followed by a Malaysian tour.
The dance, with Ramli as its artistic director, celebrates the spirit of the Hindu pastoral god, Krishna.
The dance premiered at several important venues in southern India late last year, including the Krishna Ghana Sabha in Chennai and The Alva’s Virasat Music & Dance Festival in Mangalore.
Other upcoming programmes by Sutra include a performance at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on June 21 and 22, where Ramli will perform contemporary works accompanied by a full orchestra, as well as a tour the United States in September.
Be it performing or directing, Ramli’s sense of commitment ensures that both aspects are given equal emphasis.
“A sense of commitment is very important in whatever you do. Young people today want instant gratification. Even among some of my young dancers, the passion and value is missing. Their focus is always at their smartphones and they are never in the present.
“I stopped some of my classes already. I’m so strict that if I find sacrificing my time is not worthwhile and students don’t sufficiently respond, I’ll cancel my class,” stresses the ever-committed Ramli.
So, Ramli has instead increased his outreach programmes for underprivileged students.
“The (underprivileged) tend to be more appreciative. I teach 40 students at the Subramaniam Temple near Kuala Selangor and they will have a public performance soon,” he says with a bright beam.
Creating a ‘buzz’ in the performing arts scene is a constant challenge that is on Ramli’s mind.
“Kuala Lumpur has a lot of things going and it’s difficult to get people to come for performances because there are just too many and not enough outreach programmes to create new audiences.”
Now, even at the age of 61, Ramli has no reason to slow down.
“The world is too competitive nowadays. The arts bring in the gentler civilisation and arts culture has a civilising quality. That’s why it’s so important.”
You can enjoy Krishna, Love Re-invented at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (Jalan Strachan, Sentul), Pentas 1, from March 5-9, at 8.30pm.
Tickets: RM53 (General), RM33 (Student) and by donation. Note: March 5 is the Gala Night by invitation and March 7’s show is in aid of Divine Life Society Malaysia.
For details, call 03-7880-7999 (Ticketpro), and 03-4047-9000 (Sutra Foundation).
