Sanubari - Portraits in Motion. Exhibition of Photographs by Nirmala Karuppiah

About

Sanubari chronicles the photographic voyages of artist Nirmala Karuppiah, her journey spanning two decades documenting various dance genres, mainly the classical Indian discipline Odissi, Cantonese Opera, Northern Malaysia Malay dance-drama Mak Yong and the healing rituals of Main Puteri from the state of Kelantan.  
 

The Malay word Sanubari has various translations, but one, which aptly describes it in the context of this exhibition is the 'inner-self', of deepest feelings reaching fever-pitch and a 'heartfire' which laces each work seen in the show.  
 

Nirmala Karuppiah's intrinsic talent, merged with a deep love and respect for these art forms are evident in each of her work; and Sanubari is aimed at presenting to the masses, both a historic and personal views of these dance genres, seen through her camera lenses in a myriad of perspectives.
 

Working predominantly in black and whites, Sanubari is the artist's intense pursuit of conserving, documenting and disseminating these art forms which although has been written about in many journals and publications, still need to be actively trailed.