REVIEW
A review from Miss Geetha of the India-Malaysia Heritage (IMH) Group on A Bouquet of Love, solo Bharatanatyam by Kirthana Sukumaran last weekend:
Sutra and Ramli Ibrahim do not do things by halves! What more when Sutra is hosting an arangetram after 15 years and that too in the distinctively atmospheric Panggung Bandaraya.
An elegantly turned out audience, an eye-catching photograph exhibition of the star of the night, Kirthana Sukumaran, a detailed programme book, exotic floral arrangements, and Sutra’s well-oiled dancers past and present spinning around offering their trademark hospitality (and the Sutra Coffee!) transformed the historical theatre hall last night into a scene of old world charm and glamour.
Overlooking the storied Dataran Merdeka, I quite expected Tunku Abdul Rahman to glide in in Malay princely gear to enjoy the aesthetics of the scene!
The night however belonged to the consummate Malay dance guru widely regarded as the royalty of Indian dance in Malaysia. Ramli was in his element playing the perfect host but it was when he took his position on stage with his orchestra as key man – the natuvannar – that the stage was set for a night of magic. As well-versed in music and choreography as he is with Barathanatyam, who better to lead his protégé?
There was no need to be a Bharatanatyam connoisseur to understand Kirthana’s gift for the art as she danced and emoted her way to cheers and wolf whistles from an adoring, discerning audience. The real bouquet of flowers, however, should be presented to Ramli Ibrahim and Sutra for the school’s admirable Dance Outreach Programme, an endeavour to unearth talents who may otherwise not receive the kind of exposure a gem like Kirthana Sukumaran has had.
ARTICLES
An article published on The Vibes by Amalina Kamal covering A Bouquet of Love, solo Bharatanatyam by Kirthana Sukumaran , Â 05 Aug 2022 7:25PM
An article published on The Vibes by Kalash Nanda Kumar covering A Bouquet of Love, solo Bharatanatyam by Kirthana Sukumaran, Â 08 Aug 2022 7:00PM