Dear Friends,
Just after the last Covid MCO, about a year and half ago, I was approached by Priya Yogi (who runs the Raas Leela Performing Arts Studio in Jalan Raya Barat, Klang, for visual art students), to conduct Odissi dance classes.
Sutra Foundation previously spearheaded several successful Dance Outreach Programs in Out-of-KL towns such as Kajang, Rawang, Kuala Selangor and Ladang Sg Choh. These had to be discontinued due Covid.
I thought that it would be interesting and timely to start one in Klang.
In Klang, apart from the children class, we also started adult odissi class. Most of the adult students had never experienced dance class before. As usual, many of them had wanted to learn dance but couldn’t for various reasons. It was always a sad case of unfulfilled wish or dream that they never had the chance to explore their ‘angin’ or artistic talent. For some, this was a knot in their subconscious. I advise them that actually, it is never too late to dance.
The odissi classes in Klang only took off after a simple temple dance during Navarathri where a few of them performed. Soon more joined the adult class.
The group became highly motivated and the spirit was high. The dancers bonded, enjoyed themselves and improved by leaps and bounds. Attendance was at all time high! Time slips by during class and it is a joy to teach them.
Inevitably, I promised to organise a studio performance for them at Sutra. Jokingly I told them that I always end up facilitating their ‘karma’ and that working hard to perfect their moves is better than making vows to carry milk up the steps of Batu Caves! The goal of having a performance is important, not to be professional dancers, but as a ‘trial by fire’ and challenge for their own selves. One needs an inspiration to work even harder.
This was briefly the genesis for Odissi Reaching Out
Odissi Reaching Out will be joined by 5 other dancers from Sugam (PJ) classes, where a similar odissi Outreach program has been conducted. The PJ Outreach Program is another interesting but different story that needs to be told…
Ramli, Sutra
Contact us to reserve seats: +6019-333 1092