KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — Local dance companies Dua Space Dance Theatre, Sutra Foundation and DiDance collectively proved that arts and culture will always have a place in Malaysians’ hearts.

Staged at Panggung Bandaraya DBKL last weekend (December 16 to 18), their production Rentak Bumi 2.0 enjoyed a three-night full house show.

It highlighted the talent of some of the country’s best dancers under the direction of artistic directors Aman Yap and Anthony Meh (Dua Space), Datuk Ramli Ibrahim (Sutra Foundation) and Zaridah Abdul Mallik (DiDance).

Supported by ArtsFAS under Yayasan Hasanah, Rentak Bumi 2.0 is testament that a display of Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity and heritage is still relevant in this day and age.

A performance by Sutra Foundation, fresh from their return from Konark Dance Festival in India where their performance received rave reviews. — Picture courtesy of Rentak Bumi 2.0
A performance by Sutra Foundation, fresh from their return from Konark Dance Festival in India where their performance received rave reviews. — Picture courtesy of Rentak Bumi 2.0

Rentak Bumi 2.0 was birthed from online efforts by the three dance companies during the height of the global pandemic. Their series of videos have garnered close to one million views on YouTube.

This then inspired the founders of Sutra, Dua Space and DiDance to synergise their efforts in transforming the dance videos into a live performance.

“Thank you to everyone who came to watch the show and on behalf of all the dancers, stage crew and those working behind the scene, we hope to see the same kind of support towards our future shows,” said Yap of Dua Space.

The third day of Rentak Bumi 2.0 also featured a lecture-demonstration titled 'Behind the Making of Rentak Bumi', an effort to connect with the country’s performing arts students.

A performance by Dua Space, which was one of the three dance companies that participated. — Picture courtesy of Rentak Bumi 2.0
A performance by Dua Space, which was one of the three dance companies that participated. — Picture courtesy of Rentak Bumi 2.0

Conducted by the artistic directors, it offered an insight into the narrative behind the online staging of Rentak Bumi that led to Rentak Bumi 2.0.

“More than a dance production, Rentak Bumi is the story of our country ... we are proud of our multiculturalism,” said Ramli, fresh from his return from Konark Dance Festival in India where Sutra Foundation’s performance received rave reviews.

“That aspect of perpaduan (unity) is one of Rentak Bumi’s most prominent messages. Again, we must extend our utmost appreciation to ArtsFAS and Yayasan Hasanah that played a pivotal part in this event.”