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:

1. Śṛngāra — Love
2. Hāsya — Joy
3. Karuṇā — Compassion/Sorrow
4. Raudra — Anger
5. Vīra — Heroism
6. Bhayānaka — Fear
7. Bībhatsa — Disgust
8. Adbhuta — Wonder
9. 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 Dinner

7:20pm Speeches 

7:45pm Performance 

8:45pm End of Event

The programme sequence will be spontaneously determined by the artists during the performance, through the following Navarasa pairings: 

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

Performers

Sutra Dance Theatre: 

1. Dato Ramli, 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 selected youth musicians from Negeri Sembilan