Ragamala

From America Ragamala Dance are famed for their contemporary vision of the Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam. Through Mother-daughter Artistic Directors Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy's, Ragamala work with this ancient tradition to express ideas of joy and spiritual growth, updating the form without loosing touch with its rich heritage.

Yathra (Journey), which explores the the human journey from birth to death in an eloquent and moving cycle.It is accompanied by specially composed live music.

All questions are answered by co-Artistic Directors of Ragamala Dance, Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy

1. What made you decide on Bharatanatyam as a medium for your dance works?

We originate from Chennai, India, the birthplace of Bharatanatyam, and have spent our lives absorbing the intricacies, nuances, and aesthetics of the form. We have been carefully trained by our guru, Ms. Alarmel Valli, considered the greatest living master of Bharatanatyam. Our passion for and dedication to this extremely complex form is what makes Bharatanayam the main vocabulary for our work.

2. What was the inspiration behind Yathra?
Yathra (Journey) evokes the cycle of one day, metaphorically mapping a human being’s journey from the dawn of birth to the twilight of life.
The inspiration for this piece comes from the Hindu philosophical belief in reincarnation and the infinite cycle of life. The piece consists of five sections, opening with the birth of a human soul and continuing as we navigate the human journey through the waking of all creatures on earth, the trials and joys of youth, the rituals experienced in the evening of one’s life, and the realization that, at the end of life’s journey, we are similar to water droplets on a lotus leaf—constant and impermanent—only a soul’s ultimate union with the divine is of consequence.
Each section of Yathra is inspired by a line of Indian poetry, ancient and modern, and is set to a commissioned score by renowned composers/musicians Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas (New Delhi, India), that intertwines the deep, haunting tones of the Indian cello (an instrument designed and pioneered by Saskia herself) with the complex harmonies and emotional range of the sitar.

3. What advantages do you find there are in using a classical form with an incredibly rich tradition? Are there any limitations?

Bharatanatyam integrates elements of music, theater, poetry, sculpture, and literature, forming a multi-dimensional art that offers infinite opportunities for creative expression. The form is a virtually limitless canvas on which to create beautiful compositions and push the boundaries of cultural specificity. For us, Bharatanatyam itself does not have limitations—rather the perception of the form is where the difficulty lies. Our challenge is to educate audiences to understand that an ancient, classical dance tradition has the ability to be contemporary, creative, and relevant.