Navarasa

An alluring evening of dining, dance and music set against the ancient granite hills of Negeri Sembilan. Dato Ramli Ibrahim and the Sutra Dance Theatre join the Nine Arts Festival 2026 as co-curators for an immersive experience inspired by the Navarasa. 

The nine essences of Navarasa are Śṛngāra (Love), Vīra (Heroism), Karuṇā (Compassion/Sorrow), Adbhuta (Wonderment), Hāsya (Laughter), Bhayānaka (Fear), Bībhatsa (Disgust), Raudra (Anger), and Śānta (Peace).

Blending Eastern and Western classical music, Indian classical dance and improvisation, the artists transcend genres to evoke these emotional essences in a visceral performance.

How might you feel when ‘Love’ unfolds through dancers moving to Debussy’s Clair de Lune? Or when ‘Disgust’ emerges beneath the relentless breath of the suling master? Or when sorrow and compassion are embodied by dancers collapsing under the cry of a solo violin?

Experience this extraordinary evening after a specially prepared dinner by Millennia Village, in the company of passionate patrons of the arts, devoted concertgoers and festival artists.

Concert Programme

6:00pm Arrival of Guests

6:30pm Buffet Dinner* | Menu available in media gallery above

7:20pm Speeches 

7:45pm Performance | The programme is sequenced according to the following Navarasa pairings:: 

1. Śṛngāra — Love | Debussy: Claire de Lune from Suite Bergamasque
2. Vīra — Heroism | Improvisation
3. Karuṇā — Compassion/Sorrow | Reena: Esmail Charukeshi 
4. Adbhuta — Wonderment | Debussy: Menuet from Suite Bergamasque
5. Hāsya — Laughter | Improvisation
6. Bhayānaka — Fear | John Psathas: Matre’s Dance 
7. Bībhatsa — Disgust | Improvisation
8. Raudra — Anger | Improvisation 
9. Śānta — Peace | John Cage: Dream

8:45pm End of Event

*Remark: Saffron Restaurant, Millennia Village is a no pork and no lard premise.

Performers

Sutra Dance Theatre: 

1. Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Choreography and Dancer
2. Geethika Sree
3. Tan Mei Mei
4. Harenthiran Pulingam
5. Vickneshwaran

and other dancers from the company

Musicians:

1. Foo Mei Yi, piano & producer
2. Bartosz Woroch, violin
3. Yii Kah Hoe, suling
4. Joachim Lim, percussion

and young musicians from Noghori Arts School, Negeri Sembilan. 

Narrator: Chacko Vadaketh

Sutra Foundation, a bastion of traditional and contemporary arts endowed to Malaysia by Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, was established as a full-fledged Foundation in 2007. Sutra has been consistent in providing Malaysia with activities in the performing arts, exhibitions and teaching. Immense care goes into crafting a Sutra Production, be it in terms of impeccable design input, selection of dance talent, devising sets, costumes, lighting or graphics and marrying them to the conceptual and choreographic intent to assure a flawless production.

Datuk Ramli Ibrahim & Geethika Sree

Bartosz & Mei Yi

Make the Most of Your Festival Experience!

Ticket holders enjoy exclusive rates at Millennia Village, the official venue partner of Nine Arts Festival (Valid for stays: 10 August 2026 - 16 August 2026).

📌 To learn more, visit our main festival page or check out the poster in media gallery above.

This event is presented as part of the Nine Arts Festival from 14th August 2026 - 16th August 2026. To learn more about the festival, visit https://www.cloudjoi.com/collections/nine-arts-festival-2026/ or https://www.nineartsfestival.com.