Ragamala Dance Company

Founded in 1992 by Ranee Ramaswamy, Ragamala Dance Company is dedicated to honoring and redefining a personal vision for the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam. Ranee originally envisioned he company as a gift to her eldest daughter Aparna Ramaswamy, believing that Aparna "was a dancer in her previous birth," (NPR). 

As executive artistic director, Aparna skillfully weaves the rich traditions and philosophical depth of Bharatanatyam with her perspective as a first-generation Indian American. 

The family dynamic continues with Ashwini Ramaswamy, Ranee's youngest daughter and the company's current choreographic associate. Drawing from her family's passion, Ashwini's "imagination [makes] space, not just for more generations but for more ways of thinking,"  (The New York Times)

CHILDREN OF DHARMA

One of the ways your GTMD will make an impact is through the creation and touring of Children of Dharma, a multi-faceted performance and engagement series. Children of Dharma explores life - forever sprouting, transforming, dissolving, and renewing - through three characters from the Hindu epic The Mahabharata; these myths reveal the power of ancient cultures to reaffirm humanity’s relationship with nature and the sacred. Children of Dharma centers South Indian embodied rituals in the immigrant experience—upholding dance as a spiritual practice that can inspire, heal, and transform. 

World premere: November 2, 2024
 
 
COMMUNITY ENGAGED SERIES

In conjunction with the stage presentation of Children of Dharma, we will create a community engagement series that explores what it means to be an immigrant in the United States. How does the sharing of our own stories—and listening to those of our neighbors—help forge the connections that build strong communities? Putting stories of immigration and cultural justice at the center, we aim to dismantle practices of disinformation and misunderstanding that plague our communities. 

EXPLORE MORE FROM RAGAMALA:

Listen to our limited Series podcast, Subcontinuity: Voices from the South Asian Diaspora

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

 

 

 

Activities in Minnesota so far this year:

American Association of University Women (Company Performance) - St. Paul. MN

Normandale Elementary Cultural Festival (Student Performance) - Edina, MN

Thomson Park Activity Center (Senior Center) - West St. Paul, MN

Marcy Elementary School (3-day residency), Minneapolis, MN

Landmark Center (Student Recital), St. Paul, MN

Songkran Festival/Thai New Year (Student Performance) - St. Paul, MN

Global MN Gala (Company Performance) - Golden Valley, MN

Flint Hills Festival (Kolam/visual art instruction + Student Performance) - St. Paul, MN

Friendship Festival (Company Performance) - Pelican Rapids, MN

Center for Performing Arts (Weeklong Arts Camp) - Minneapolis, MN

IndiaFest (Student Performance) - St. Paul, MN

Minnesota State Fair (Student Performance) - St. Paul

University of MN (Guest Lecture at Art of India class) - Minneapolis, MN

Macalster College South Asian Festival (Company Performance) - St. Paul

Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple (Company Performance) - Edina,MN

Center for Performing Arts (Open rehearsal) - Minneapolis, MN

Upcoming Events with Northrop - Minneapolis, MN

Arts Exploration Class (Lecture/Demonstration) - Minneapolis, MN

Virtual Season Preview (Conversation) - online

Fall Spotlight Series (Performance and Panel Discussion) - Minneapolis, MN

Education Performance - Minneapolis, MN

World Premiere of Children of Dharma + Pre and Post-show events - Minneapolis, MN