Rhythm Divine: Art and economy go together

The artist with immense passion, extreme precision, extraordinary grace and unlimited energy Ramli Ibrahim is evidently one of the most famous dancer and choreographer of Odissi and contemporary dance from Malaysia. His brief visit to Hyderabad, for a performance arranged by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) gave an opportunity to know more about his thoughts on culture, dance, and Odissi in particular. Says Ramli “Odissi is picking up at very fast pace in Odisha. It is moving at such breathtaking speed that hardly any other form of dance is surviving in Odisha. This also brings about a question on what is the original, authentic and traditional form of Odissi dance. I learnt Odissi from Guru Deba Prasad Das and follow the ‘Deba Prasad style of Odissi’. And this may go forward as ‘An Odissi parampara from Malaysia’! After all, every time an individual learns from his Guru, he evolves in the art form, which ultimately can never be the 100% copy of the Guru. There is a transformation, development or change that is constantly happening around the art form, with changing times, environment and situations.”

The artist has firm views on dance as an art form that does undergo change with time and how it is important to look at art in terms of economics. “It is very important for everyone to realise that art and economy are interlinked since times immemorial and should not be considered in isolation. India has a trade relation of about Rs 81,000 crore exports and Rs 45,000 crore imports with Malaysia. When there is so much trade on a continuous basis between two countries, then why not exchange of culture?” he says.

In addition to the commercial aspects, art serves a messenger of peace. He says, “Festivals of each country should take place in another country throughout the year and on a continuous basis. Anything temporary in nature, would not survive. There is a need to continuously keep injecting the dose of culture. This also would automatically reduce friction in societies and also friction between people and nations around the world. Who does not want peace? And what better than ‘Culture’ to become a vehicle of peace?”

“However, it is just not enough to take art to the audience. ‘True Patron’ is the key, which is missing in today’s world.” He explains, “True Patron is an independent financial supporter of any art form. The financial support needs to come without any tags attached. More often than not, financial support is offered with some favours expected in return, of either promoting an art form or a particular artiste. This is not a good trend. There are also many organisers who depend on the performing/participating artiste to provide finances for running a program. This is a very sad state of affairs. There is no point in always blaming the government. There are many priorities for the government and art is just a one part of it. Today, even the governments all over the world understand the issue and are trying to increase the support for all art forms. There is also a need to involve more artistes in this cross-cultural phenomenon.”

Speaking of the importance of art, “Art should not become a form of political propaganda. Art and culture is very important to shape the psyche of an individual in the society. And there cannot be a digital formula in this age of social media. The youth wants to have everything at the drop of a hat and the click of a mouse, while art is something which works with the senses of our body and mind,” he states.

Jaywant Naidu