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Rathimalar Govindarajoo, a name synonymous with pioneering spirit and artistic excellence in the
performing arts across Malaysia and beyond, now graces the cultural landscape of Coffs Harbour, Australia. As an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and teacher with a rich and diverse history,
her arrival promises to enrich the local arts scene and provide a unique opportunity for students to delve into the captivating world of Indian classical and contemporary dance.
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Specialising in the exquisite forms of Odissi and Bharatanatyam, Rathimalar brings with her a profound understanding of these ancient traditions, coupled with a dynamic perspective shaped by her extensive experience in modern contemporary dance.2 Her unique artistic journey makes her an exceptional instructor for individuals seeking to explore the beauty and discipline of dance in the Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, and Port Macquarie regions.
Rathimalar’s mastery extends to two of India’s eight
principal classical dance forms: Odissi and Bharatanatyam.
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Originating from the eastern state of Odisha, Odissi is renowned for its sensuous and lyrical quality, often expressing traditional poetry and songs through graceful movements that touch upon both the divine and the human. This ancient dance form, with archaeological evidence dating back to the 2nd century B.C., was historically performed by Maharis, temple dancers devoted to their art.5 Odissi’s highly stylized technique is rooted in classical texts like the Natya Shastra and Abhinaya Darpana, characterized by two fundamental postures: the masculine
Chowk, a balanced square stance, and the feminine Tribhanga, an elegant three-fold bend in the body. The repertoire of Odissi includes an invocation (Mangalacharan), pure dance (Nritta),
expressive dance (Nritya), dance drama (Natya), and a climactic piece signifying spiritual release (Moksha).
ODISSI
bharatanatyam
Similarly, Bharatanatyam, hailing from Tamil Nadu in southern India, boasts a lineage stretching back over 2000 years. Originally a temple dance performed by women, Bharatanatyam often serves as a medium to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. Its theoretical foundations lie in the Natya Shastra and the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, with temple sculptures from the 6th to 9th century CE indicating its sophisticated development by the mid-1st millennium CE.6 The style is marked by a fixed upper torso, bent legs, and flexed knees (Aramandi), combined with intricate footwork and a rich vocabulary of hand gestures (Mudras), eye movements, and facial expressions. Bharatanatyam performances typically follow a structured sequence called Margam, encompassing pure dance (Nritta), expressive dance conveying meaning (Nritya), and
dramatic elements (Natya).
TRAINING
Rathimalar’s profound understanding of these classical forms stems from her extensive trainingunder the tutelage of Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, a celebrated choreographer and Bharatanatyamdancer, and founder of Sutra Dance Theatre and Sutra Foundation in Kuala Lumpur. As his disciple, Rathimalar has been an integral part of this renowned institution for over three decades,a testament to her deep commitment and the quality of her training. Her role evolved to that of alead and principal dancer within Sutra Dance Theatre, where she also partnered Datuk RamliIbrahim himself for more than a decade. This long-standing association with Sutra, a dancetheatre that has significantly shaped Malaysia's performing arts scene by nurturing dancers andpromoting Malaysian art nationally and internationally, underscores the depth of Rathimalar’sclassical dance foundation. Furthermore, her position in helming Sutra’s Bharatanatyam facultyindicates her leadership and pedagogical skills within a prestigious dance school. This richbackground under a distinguished mentor positions her as a highly qualified instructor capable ofimparting the nuances and complexities of Odissi and Bharatanatyam to students in Australia.
CONTEMPORARY
Beyond her profound grounding in classical Indian dance, Rathimalar has also carved a significant niche in the realm of contemporary dance. Her tenure as a pioneer dancer with the esteemed Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company (SJDC) in London, UK, from 2001 to 2006, marked a pivotal phase in her artistic development. This period saw her deeply immersed in a contemporary dance style often characterized by a reinterpretation of classical Indian dance vocabulary. Shobana Jeyasingh’s choreographic approach involved exploring innovative movements rooted in Bharatanatyam principles, often stripping away traditional elements like hand gestures (Mudras) and facial expressions (Abhinaya) to focus on the essence of pure bodily movement. This fusion of tradition and modernity resulted in a more fluid and less geometrically rigid movement style. Rathimalar toured extensively with SJDC throughout Britain and Europe, performing in notable productions such as Phantasmaton & [h]Interland, Transtep, Flicker Transtep 2, and Exit No Exit. Her continued relationship with SJDC was evident when she returned in 2011 to participate in there imagining of Configurations, a testament to her valued contribution to the company. This experience with an internationally acclaimed contemporary dance company enriched her artistic perspective and broadened her movement vocabulary, allowing her to bridge the gap between classical precision and contemporary expression.
OTHER PROJECTS & ACCOLADES
Prior to her relocation, Rathimalar was deeply embedded in the vibrant dance community of KualaLumpur, Malaysia. Recognized as a pioneer in the performing arts within the country, she playeda significant role in shaping its dance landscape. Her long-standing association with SutraFoundation, spanning over three decades, highlights her enduring commitment to the Malaysianarts scene. Beyond her performance career, Rathimalar dedicated over a decade to nurturingyoung talent in Malaysia. She served as a Dance Education Specialist at various internationalschools, including Fairview International School, HELP International School, and MAHSAInternational School, where she imparted her knowledge and passion for dance to studentsacross different age groups and syllabi. Her expertise in dance education was furtheracknowledged through her participation as a speaker at TEDxHeriotWattUMSIA in 2019, whereshe shared her unique perspectives on the multifaceted role of dance. Rathimalar also madesignificant contributions as a choreographer and performer in Kuala Lumpur. Her choreographicworks, such as "Star Struck" and "Rebel Without A Cause?", garnered recognition, with the latterreceiving a nomination for Best Choreography at the prestigious BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. She also graced the stage in various productions, including "A Delicate Situation" at KLPAC and"Rasa Unmasked," showcasing her versatility in both classical and contemporary idioms. Herchoreography of "Panjara" for the Sutra Dance Festival further exemplifies her creativeexplorations. Her artistic endeavors in Kuala Lumpur reveal a dynamic and influential figure inMalaysia's dance fraternity. Furthermore, her involvement as a judge for the BOH CameronianAwards from 2020 to 2024, her active membership in MyDance Alliance Malaysia, and her roleas a Dance Education Specialist in CENDANA's Artis Di Sekolah program in 2019 underscoreher respected position and influence within the national dance community.
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Throughout her distinguished career, Rathimalar’s artistic achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and accolades. These include the 13th Debaprasad Prativi Award in Orissa, India, a testament to her excellence in Odissi dance. She also received the BOH
Cameronian Award for Best Feature Performer in the Dance Category, acknowledging her exceptional stage presence and artistry. Her contributions to the arts have been further celebrated with the Women of WATSON Award for extraordinary women in the Arts & Play in 2013. Additionally, she was recognized as one of the Great Women of Our Time by Malaysian Women's Weekly Magazine in 2011 and received the Women of Style & Substance award from Marie Claire Malaysia. These accolades underscore her significant impact and high standing within the global dance community.
Works cited
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