Malaysian artist to perform Odissi dance in US

Kuala Lumpur: After weaving a magical spell over Indian audiences, a Malaysian Odissi dancer and his troupe will depict images of the Shaivite and Tantric traditions in the US to mark Malaysia`s 54th National Day celebrations in August.

Odissi exponent Ramli Ibrahim is taking his "Vision of Forever", that he premiered five years ago in Chennai, to Washington along with his Sutra Dance Theatre. The event will be hosted by the Malaysian ambassador to the US Jamaluddin Jarjis. The dance will be choreographed by the Odissi master himself, who said he would also explore the works of other local choreographers, New Straits Times reported Tuesday. Ramli`s "Vision Of Forever" offers powerful images from the Shaivite and Tantric traditions. He premiered the show in December 2006 at Kalakshetra in Chennai, the bastion of Indian classical dance. The troupe will also perform in Chicago and Houston and before concluding the tour in Los Angeles. Ramli and his group last performed in the US in 2008 with a show called Spellbound at New York City`s Carnegie Hall as part of the Dance Festival of India. IANS