Very few in Malaysia can take credit for elevating the prestige and prominence of classical Indian and contemporary dance like Sutra Dance Theatre founder Datuk Ramli Ibrahim. Words like ‘legendary choreographer’ and ‘cultural icon’ skim the surface of how much this multi-hyphenate has truly contributed to the local and international arts scene. Ramli trained in ballet and modern dance at a time when a career in the arts was dismissed as trivial, going on to lead a four decade-long mission cultivating the Classical Indian dance forms of Odissi and Bharata Natyam both here and abroad. In 2020, Ramli was appointed the artistic director for 13 out of the 17 dance, theatre and music groups featured in Malaysia’s first virtual arts festival, Gerak Angin. An outspoken voice on obstacles confronting Malaysia’s performing arts community—anything from lack of funding to upholding the morale of artists who have been dealt a devastating blow by the pandemic—Ramli’s work goes well beyond the stage.