Ragamala Dance's 'Ihrah: Sacred Waters' at the Southern Theater, May 20-23

Founded in 1992, Minneapolis-based Ragamala Dance has been featured at prestigious festivals and theaters worldwide for its contemporary presentation of Bharatanatyam, the classical dance form of Southern India. Artistic Directors Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy's (recently named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch in 2010") creative vision seamlessly carries Bharatanatyam into the 21st century while respecting the form's rich tradition.

About Ihrah: Sacred Waters:
The rivers of India are revered as personifications of divinity. Since time immemorial, river worship has been performed in India to respect the vitality of water as a life-sustaining force. Based on the poetic sanctity of these rituals, Ihrah: Sacred Waters*, is an evening length work set to a live south Indian orchestra and featuring a specially commissioned world premiere from composer Marc Anderson made possible by funds from Robert and Katherine Goodale and the American Composer's Forum.

Performances: May 20-23, 2010
Thurs., Fri. & Sun at 7:30pm
Gala performance Sat. at 5:30pm, followed by dinner at Weisman Art Museum
Tickets: $27 (gala tickets $95, $125 and $1000)
Southern Theater box office: 612.340.1725
1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454
www.southerntheater.org

* Ihrah: Sacred Waters is commissioned by the American Composers Forum, with generous support from Dr. Robert and Katherine Goodale and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support has been provided by the General Mills Foundation through the "Celebrating Communities of Color" program.. Ragamala's work is made possible in part with funds provided by Target, The McKnight Foundation, the Winston R. and Maxine K. Wallin Fund of the Saint Paul Foundation, the Dale Schatzlein and Emily Maltz Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation, Greg Anderson of the Personal Advisors of Amerprise Financial, the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and Friends of Ragamala.

Ragamala in the press
"Ragamala astounds audiences with works that expands one's perception of dance, cross-cultural collaboration, and spiritual meaning." -Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The performers are masters of their art." -The Fringe Review (Edinburgh, U.K.)

"Ragamala shows a way into the twenty-first century for all classical forms. The thrill that the dancers feel in their own strength and grace rolls across The Audience; their happy and powerful beauty is one we understand and aspire to. " -Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine

"An entertaining, sublime dance exhibition." -Time Out New York

About Ragamala
Founded in 1992 by Ranee Ramaswamy and Co-Directed by Aparna Ramaswamy, Ragamala Dance is a nationally and internationally acclaimed company that brings to audiences the infinite scope of Bharatanatyam by showcasing its complexity and range, from the grace and power of the traditional solo form to the beauty and vitality of the company's ensemble. Combined with artistic virtuosity and aesthetic beauty, they present this highly sophisticated Indian dance tradition with contemporary ideas and multi-level collaborations and commissions.

About Bharatanatyam
The Indian dance system is the oldest and most comprehensive in the world, and Bharatanatyam is amongst the oldest of its classical forms. Integrating elements of music, theater, poetry, sculpture, and literature, Bharatanatyam is part of a dynamic living tradition that offers an infinite scope for understanding and exploring the body, mind, and spirit. Bharatanatyam is comprised of two distinct components: ntritta, or abstract dance, utilizes a vocabulary of classical steps to create complex rhythmic patterns; and nritya, or expressive dance, utilizes the language of gesture, called abhinaya, to express various themes from Hindu mythology, usually those of love and devotion. The beauty, vitality, and stunning physicality of the style make Bharatanatyam the perfect canvas on which to create timeless compositions of elegant abstraction.

Artist bios
Ranee Ramaswamy (Founder/Artistic Director/Choreographer/Principal Dancer) has been teaching and performing Bharatanatyam in the Twin Cities since 1978. She is a disciple of Alarmel Valli, the world's leading exponent of Bharatanatyam. Ranee has received many grants and fellowships in recognition of her choreography, performance, and tireless work with Bharatanatyam in the Minnesota area, including numerous McKnight Artist Fellowships in categories of Choreography and Interdisciplinary Art, a Bush Fellowship for Choreography, a LIN (Leadership Initiative Neighborhood) Grant from the St. Paul Companies, and an Artist Exploration Fund Grant from Arts International (New York). Her work is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Minnesota State Arts Board, The National Dance Project, and the Japan Foundation. In 2004, she was named one of the "Artists of the Year" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Throughout her career, Ranee has worked with celebrated artists of diverse backgrounds and disciplines, such as poet Robert Bly, jazz musician Howard Levy, jazz vocalist Charmin Michelle, Milwaukee-based African dance troupe Ko-Thi Dance Company, Deaf actress Nicole Zapko, virtuoso music ensemble Speaking in Tongues, and five of the Twin Cities most lauded dancemakers-Danny Buraczeski (jazz), Joe Chvala (tap), Susana di Palma (flamenco), Wynn Fricke (modern), and Lise Houlton (ballet). Ranee's work has been commissioned by Zenon Dance Company, the University of Minnesota 's Interplay Series, composer Jan Gilbert, and the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis).

Aparna Ramaswamy (Artistic Director/Choreographer/Principal Dancer) is a protégé of Alarmel Valli, the world's leading exponent of Bharatanatyam. Aparna has been featured at prestigious venues throughout the United States and abroad, both as a soloist and as principal dancer with Ragamala. She has been awarded several honors, including a McKnight Artist Fellowship for Dancers, a McKnight Artist Fellowship for Choreography, a Bush Fellowship for Choreography, an Arts and Religion in the Twin Cities grant, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, two Jerome Foundation Travel Study Grants, an Artist Exploration Fund Grant from Arts International (New York), the Lakshmi Vishwanathan Endowment Prize from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (Chennai, India), and the Sage Award for Best Dancer (Minneapolis, Minnesota). Aparna's choreography is supported by the Jerome Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Dance Project, the Japan Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. She is a graduate of Carleton College, with a degree in International Relations and a concentration in Political Economy.

Marc Anderson is a multi-percussionist, composer, record producer, and music educator living in the Twin Cities. He has recorded and performed with many great artists in the world of music including Peter Ostroushko, Steve Tibbetts, Max Roach, Greg Brown, Don Cherry, Robert Fripp, Altan, and Taj Mahal. Having studied traditional drumming in Ghana, China, and Brazil, as well as drumming styles from India, the Middle East, and Haiti with teachers in the U.S., Marc has developed a distinctive musical voice. Marc teaches drumming and anthropology at Hamline University in St. Paul, and is a founding member of the virtuoso cross-cultural performing group Speaking in Tongues (with Chinese pipa master Gao Hong, Ghanaian drummer Sowah Mensah, and bassist Enrique Toussaint).

Southern Theater mission and artistic statement
The Southern Theater cultivates artistic exploration by providing a vibrant home for performance, fostering a multiplicity of voices and catalyzing connections among artists and audience.

The Southern presents and produces performance characterized by innovation and originality. We value connections to the local community and celebrate artwork that holds potential for transformative exchange. On stage, we are unyielding in our commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and artistic integrity.

For more information on the Southern, please visit www.southerntheater.org or call 612.340.0155.

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