The gala concert of the 2009 Singapore Arts Festival featured Sutra, a dazzling alliance of martial arts and dance inspired by the skill, strength and spirituality of Shaolin Buddhist monks.

VIPs attending the gala performance include President, S R Nathan; Mr K. Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs; Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister, Prime Minister's Office; RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts; S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry and for Education; and Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee, Minister of State for Defence.

Also gracing the event are Members of Parliament, foreign ambassadors,business leaders, sponsors, partners and artists.

View the pictures here.

Photos:Royston Neo