MALAYSIAN dancer and choreographer Ramli Ibrahim defies categorisation. A Muslim who is an ardent practitioner of both Bharatanatyam and Odissi, Ramli's creativity is an integrated experience transcending national, religious and racial boundaries.
He is as passionate about Indian classical dance being a part of the total Malaysian experience, as he is about championing Malaysian traditional forms like Makyong, Menora and Main Petri. He is as full of passion dancing Odissi against a backdrop of a carved surasundari in a Khajuraho temple as he is performing a contemporary work "Scintillations" inspired by underwater flora and fauna.
Recipient of the Fulbright Distinguished Artist Award, 1999, and Lifetime Achievement Award in the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2003, Ramli Ibrahim remains an enigma, a man totally uninterested in the business angle or money, his integrity and idealism untouched by the performance rat race.
Ramli Ibrahim's life epitomises the truth that, when politics, religion and nation divides people, art is the only glue to bind the human race.
I have always been a fan of Ramli's - thanks for the reminder of this great artist.
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