The Dance Pilgrim

From 25 April-2 May 2009, the ASWARA dancers were in the Philippines for the 1 st International Dance XChange Workshop and Festival 2009. This event was organized in conjunction with International Dance Day, which was instituted by UNESCO in 1982 and falls on 29 April each year. This event was organized by the National Committee for Dance, which is a division of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and is similar to the Ministry of Culture and Arts here in Malaysia. The entourage of ASWARA consisted of four male dancers and five female dancers who were students of the Year Two Diploma Programme, and myself as the Head of Delegation. This was a trip of many firsts. This was my first visit to the Philippines and I was naturally filled with anticipation, both about the country and the actual festival. I did not know what to expect as the scope and intensity of the festival were not mentioned in the letter of invitation. As always, I called on my ‘go with the flo...

Hong Kong experienced great turbulence from June 2019. First, when protests that began as peaceful rallies erupted into violent clashes with the authorities and subsequently caused massive disruptions and followed in February, by the Covid-19 virus that infected the entire world. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) is located 200 meters from the Legislative Council in the heart of Hong Kong island and was thus, greatly affected. While this essay draws from the Hong Kong experience, the discussions are relevant for tertiary dance programs across the globe.  2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. (2023, July 14). In Wikipedia . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%932020_Hong_Kong_protests One immediate option at tertiary institutions was for deferment of studies. However, this would have an impact on graduating students, preventing some from assuming professional contracts which are scarce even in the best of times. Thus, this was not the preferred option. Dance is a prac...

Saraswati Mahavidyalaya in Perth, Australia  This article reflects on SFOL 2010 and is timely as SFOL 2020: Reimagined, the Virtual Festival is about to be launched. Further projects include ChitAmbara which aspires to initiate various interdisciplinary projects and open the possibility for professionalism. The Swan Festival of Lights is celebrated in Perth, Australia in conjunction with Deepavali, the Hindu festival of light. Launched in 2008, it aptly uses light as its overarching theme. The Festival embraces the multifaceted local and migrant communities of the city through the arts, crafts and cuisine, as well as publicising itself as a ‘smoke- and alcohol-free family-friendly event’. The festival aims to provide a space for the interaction, understanding and appreciation of multiple cultures that form the fabric of Western Australia’s society. Presented by The Temple of Fine Arts Inc. and Annalakshmi Cultural Centre of Western Australia which are sister organizations of th...

Introduction  Tari Inai , a traditional folk dance form, is the case study through which this article will address generic issues in the process of transition and propagation. It intends to reveal unique challenges within the Malaysian environment and discuss the impact of these changes through the lens of gender representation. The dance has been practiced (it claims to date back to the 18th century) in a town called Pasir Mas in the north eastern state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Since 1991, Kelantan has been ruled by the fundamentalist Islamic party PAS that bans gaming, alcohol, cinema halls, unisex hair salons, public swimming pools, performing arts and other activities that are deemed ‘un-Islamic’. This includes the ban impacts upon females in theatre, music, and dance as teachers, students, and scholars. Ironically, Kelantan is one of the most culturally rich areas in Malaysia. This region is home to diverse performing arts which is a result of transnational migration, hyb...