KUCHING: A 12-member Bharatanatyam dance troupe of the Anthara Dance Academy from Tamil Nadu, India enthralled the crowd with their classical dances at the Hare Krishna Multipurpose Hall here, on Monday (Dec 5).
The event, organised by the High Commission of India in Malaysia, was part of a vibrant cultural exchange between India and Sarawak.
Among the dances performed were the ‘Shadakshara Kowthwam’, ‘Annai Mugathone’, ‘Swarapallavi’, ‘En Pallo Kondeerayya’, ‘Enenna Vilayadai’, ‘Thottu-thotthu Pesavaraan’, and ‘Tillana’.
High Commission of India in Malaysia second secretary (Labour) Narender Pal Singh said as Malaysia and India is celebrating their diplomatic ties this year, the classical dances are among activities to showcase the rich and diverse relationship between the two countries.
“This is the fourth of such Indian performing arts’ troupe visiting Malaysia in the last four months. We have had two Bharatnatyam troupes, one Bhangra troupe and one Kalari Payattu troupe performing in Malaysia. Three of these were sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and one by the government of Tamil Nadu.
“Whenever the Indian troupes come to Malaysia, it has been our effort to expand their reach not just to Kuala Lumpur but to other parts of the country.
“This is also part of the High Commission’s efforts to reach out to the Indian community across various parts of Malaysia and reconnect with them and give them an opportunity to reconnect with Indian performing arts,” he said.
Narender said the High Commissioner B. N. Reddy himself has been actively engaged in this outreach to the various states, and had earlier visited Sarawak in September and held high-level engagements with state leaders, government agencies and universities.
“Malaysian artistes also visit India at regular intervals. A group of artistes had visited India earlier in the year in July. A group of chefs and artistes from Sarawak had visited Chennai and other places last week and had fruitful exchanges,” he said.
He also said India and Malaysia share an enhanced strategic partnership with rich engagement across business, defence, education, culture and people-to-people ties.
“We value the people-to-people exchanges and will continue to do our best to facilitate and promote them,” he said.
Earlier, the troupe performed at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) which was facilitated by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple Kuching.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Indian Women Association (SIWA) president Penghulu Lucy Lingam said the relationship between the Sarawak Indian community and the High Commission of India has always been a cordial one and one of mutual benefit and genuine friendship.
“This includes matters relating to visas, passes, and opportunities for Person of Indian Origin (PIO) in India to benefit the local Indians who want to explore them or just explore India and their roots.
“The exchange also benefits India with our people sending children to study in India and many even investing in homes in India,” she said.
She hoped that the existing close rapport can be maintained. “I also hope more educational opportunities may be made available to be taken up by Sarawakians, not just Sarawak Indians but all Sarawakians.”
Also present was ISKCON Kuching chairman Kripa Sindhu Krishna Prabhu.
