Dear Friends,
It was a privilege to receive the Pravasi Natya Kalanidhi Award from ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India), the distinguished and well known Bharatanatyam institution based in Chennai.
I thank ABHAI’s present president, Smt Priya Murle, together with its proactive executive committee for conferring this award to me.
ABHAI, established in 1987, has distinguished itself for looking after the welfare of artistes, organising many dance workshops & festivals, at the same time recognising gurus and artistes who have contributed and dedicated their lives to Bharatanatyam.
Many distinguished Bharatanatyam gurus and dancers were former presidents of ABHAI, including my late guru, Shri Adyar K Lakshman. Decades ago when Sutra was in Chennai, I remember when Lakshman sir was president of ABHAI, his household used to be abuzz whenever there were activities related to ABHAI.
Therefore, I was rather nostalgic when I learnt that the prestigious Pravasi Award was conferred to me and that it would be together with other venerated gurus such as Jaya teacher, whose dedication and contribution to Bharatanatyam I place with the highest regard.
I am also delighted that on the other end, the young dancer of Therukoothu, Thilagavathi was also recognised. The last time I met her was ages ago when VR Devika brought the Therukoothu troupe to Kuala Lumpur on Sutra’s invitation. Even then Thilagavathi had stood out as a powerful female performer in an otherwise male-troupe.
It is only right that with most humility I dedicate this great honour to my late guru, Lakshman sir, who was one of the luminaries of Bharatanatyam, a pioneer dance guru who had helped spread globally the popularity of this beautiful South Indian temple dance.
We used to refer Lakshman sir as the jet-setting Bharatanatyam guru who would be in the US one week, in Japan the next and in Malaysia, the month after.
It was the amazing pioneering spirit like Lakshman Sir who enabled a Malaysian dancer like me to be accepted as a Bharatanatyam artist & teacher, in the same company as the distinguished dance luminaries, who were present at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, during the 36th Annual Award of ABHAI 2025.
Ramli Ibrahim