Louise Lightfoot first arrived in India in 1937 on her way to Europe from Australia. While in India, she visited Kerala and discovered a love for Kathakali. She was one of the first Westerners to learn the style at Kerala Kala Mandalam, and was paired with a dancer, Shivaram. In 1947, Lightfoot returned to Australia with Shivaram and a troupe of dancers who performed across the world. In addition to giving lectures and demonstrations with Shivaram, Lightfoot is recognized for her contributions to the popularization of Indian dance, specifically during a period of renaissance of the classical styles in India.

Ramli Ibrahim is a Malaysian dancer who has been recognized in India and around the world for his mastery of Odissi and Bharatanatyam. After a notable career as a member of the Sydney Dance Company, Ramli returned to Malaysia and established Sutra Dance Theatre, which has become a leading dance school in Malaysia, performing for national and international audiences. Concurrently, Ramli has contributed to the establishment of contemporary modern dance in Malaysia, through a strong body of choreography which “define ‘modernity’ from Asian perspectives.”