KonTra : Asirvatham

Home to a wealth of traditional culture, KonTra is a dance series by Zhafir Muzani that hopes to showcase a colourful array of classical or folk dances reimagined with contemporary touches by Malaysian choreographers. 
 
The very first edition of the series, KonTra : Bianglala (bianglala means rainbow), took off in June 2022 with an exciting variety of traditional Malay dance forms. 
 
In celebration of the festival of lights or Deepavali this October, The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat will be unveiling the second installment of the series. Named KonTra : Asirvatham, which means blessings in Tamil, it will feature six Indian classical dance works cleverly fused with modern elements.

Featuring choreography by Agnes Rhythm Dance, Ealbie Breandent, Harshini, Iqram Company, Kishore Krishnan, Mamad Hj. Samsudin.

Supported by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) & Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC)

Ticket prices:
Early Bird Promotion (Ends on 9th Oct 2022)
RM 40

Standard (Starts from 10th Oct 2022)
RM 50

RM 40 (Concession: Students / TAS Card Members / Seniors Above 60 / Disabled)

Malaysia Day Promo  (Ends on 16th September 2022)
Buy 3 Free 1 (RM150)

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At Mapley (Mamak)
Choreographer | Mamad Hj. Samsudin
Graduated from Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance majoring in choreography. Mamad’s traditional works include “Selendang Cocos” – which won 1st place at Creative Dance FeSeni 2017 and Pao Gan Wu, Ethnic New Creation Dance Festival of Colours of The World – FESCO UTP 2019.
Mamad was a part-time tutor at ASWARA from 2015 -2020, focusing on dance & multimedia and assisting with improvisation, composition, and choreography classes at both diploma and degree levels. Currently, he is pursuing his Post-Graduate Studies at Akademi Pengajian Melayu, Universiti Malaya exploring the use of multimedia in contemporary dance performances or works in Malaysia.
Dancers | ILYANA, Alexter & Syamel

Blessing Continues…..
by Agnes Rhythm Dance
Choreographer | Agnesmary Selvaraj
Having passion for classical Indian dances, especially Bharatanaytam, she stepped in her dance journey at the age of 5 and successfully completed her ‘Salangai Pooja’ at 9. Since then, she started performing for temples, stage shows, events and it did not stop there. She flew to Chennai, India to complete her ‘Arangetram’, under the guidance of Prity Chakraborty Ghose.
After getting hitched, together with her husband the couple joined dance team ET Ideas and there she met her mentor, Valsala Krishnan who guided her to continue her dance journey. In 2014, she started the Agnes Rhythm Dance and has been successfully teaching traditional dances and semi classical dances both physically for locals and virtually for international students.
Dancers | Durgga, Hematarshini, Jivishna, Kaneesha, Kumutha, Lakkshana, Mretulla, Nivethytha, Rachanah, Saanjanaa, Semeithi, Shanmita, Tejasvi

Reflection of Pathways
Choreographer | Harshini Sukumaran
Harshini is an experienced dancer and choreographer who have obtained formal training in Bharatanatyam, contemporary, Odissi, Kathak, Bollywood, choreography and performance techniques. Bringing forth the ability to create innovative and inspiring dance sequences while serving as an effective instructor. Adept in designing classes, programs, and choreographed dances that focus on the development of strong technique, strength, and artistic interpretation.
Dancers | Ramieyah & Vinitha

Siapa
by Iqram Company
Choreographer | Mohd Nuriqram
Graduated from Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA), Iqram graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance majoring in choreography. In 2017, he represented Malaysia under the Faculty of Dance, UM to the ASEAN-CHINA Joint Cultural Performance held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. He has done several choreography works which were performed at Gelombang Baru, Dancebox, SHORT+SWEET Malaysia Festival, and Dancing Alone. He won the Best Newcomer Award at SHORT+SWEET Dance 2018 for his work titled ‘BODOH’.
Dancers | Muhammad Nur Hilmi, Mohd Nuriqram, Siew Ying Chenn, Woo Yi Xin

Vali
Choreographer | Ealbie Breandent
Ealbie is from Tambunan, Sabah. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance majoring in Contemporary at ASWARA and diploma in dance from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). He is currently working at the Department of Information Services Malaysia, PENTARAMA. He has participated in performances such as SHORT+SWEET Dance (2017), ‘Yamadipati’ (2018), Dancebox Festival (2019), Dancing in Place, Dancing Alone, Don’t Let Joe and Faridah Know and more. Also, performing internationally in Singapore for Muara Festival 2017, Indonesia for Pastakom 2019 and China for China-Asean Dance Education Forum 2019. In 2019, he was awarded ‘Anugerah Pelajar Gemilang Siswa ASWARA’ and ‘Pelajar Terbaik di Sebalik Tabir ASWARA’.
Dancers | Xin Ping & Shafiq Yussof
Third eye | Izzie Islam

Within my mind..
Choreographer | Kishore Krishnan
He started Bharatanatyam at the age of 4 under his mothers Shrimathi Bhanumathi Krishnan and Shrimathi Vasuki Sivanesan. At 21, he ventured into ballet and contemporary under the guidance of Umesh Shetty. After finishing his dance diploma at ASWARA, he debuted as a solo Bharatnatyam dancer at TFA International and was awarded the sacred title Nrtyanjali.
In 2015, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts majoring in Contemporary Dance from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Two years later, he performed with LINK Dance Company, Europe of works by Carmelo Seguro, Sue Peacock, Michael Whaites, Sam Chester, Natalie Allen and even at the Sadler Wells Theatre, London in 2019.
Currently an artist with InnerSpace Dance Company, cum educator at ASWARA and Temple of Fine Arts Kuala Lumpur.
Dancers | Kim Khoo & Joey Mak

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Covid-19 Related SOPs
klpac has Covid-19 measures including Covid-19 testing for the cast and crew, sanitisation and disinfection, and going contactless. Mask-wearing is recommended. Venue reserves the right to deny entry if you're found to be Covid-19 positive or High-Risk status on MySejahtera. No refund will be made to those who have purchased tickets.

For the latest Covid-19 & SOP guide, go to https://www.klpac.org/about-us/your-visit/.

klpac & TAS’ Covid-19 Relief Fundraising
klpac & TAS’ losses due to Covid-19 have exceeded RM2 million and its venue has been deprived of audiences for 377 days. It requires a minimum of RM130,000 per month to stay afloat. Each ticket sold goes toward this immediate cause. You can also make a donation of any amount via https://www.klpac.org/donations/

Buy Tickets
Online Purchase: www.cloudjoi.com
No phone sales and over the counter sales. E-tickets only.

Enquiry
WhatsApp +6018 227 7212

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Creatives & Production Team

Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
Director: Zhafir Muzani
Lighting Designer & Operator: Yusman Mokhtar
Sound Operator: Helmi
Videographer: Coebar Abel
Production Stage Manager: Yeo
Photos by Milol Tahar

Featuring: Agnes Rhythm Dance, Ealbie Breandent, Harshini Sukumaran, Iqram Company, Kishore Krishnan, Mamad Hj. Samsudin

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)
Group General Manager: Ian Chow
General Manager (Marketing Communications): Ang Yue May
Assistant General Manager (Theatre & Technical Management): Lawrence Selvaraj
Assistant General Manager (Admin, Finance & Production): Easee Gan
Technical Manager: Mike Thomas
Technical Supervisor: Mathanakumar Murthi
Technician: Mohd Helmi Md Khairi
Front of House & Theatre Supervisor: Harsvini Loganathan
Production Stage Managers: Catherine Lee, Yeo Kok Wei
Assistant Production Stage Manager: Khatijah Asmawi
Publicity & Marketing Manager: Maggie Ong
Senior Art Director: Joel Wong
Creative Producer: Coebar Abel
Publicist: Vishallini Vikram Gopal
Box Office Supervisor: Jennifer John
Box Office Executive: Vaideggy Vijayasagaran
Assistant Account Manager: Esther Kuan
Head of Academy: Kimmy Kiew
Academy Administrator: Raja Syamil
Admin Executive & Personal Assistant to Artistic Director: Farah Nadia
Secretary to Executive Producer: Darlena Tong
Maintenance Supervisor: Selva Rajoo
Maintenance Team: Jayaganesh Ramankrishnan
Security Manager: Mahendra Karuppiah
Security Supervisor: Balasubramaniam Ganapathy
Senior Security Officer: Shandre Sakran Kumaravale
Security Officers: Balasivasubramaniam Arunasalam, Nadarajan Maruthamuthu