Classes Ragamala offers classes in Bharatanatyam, from Introductory through Advanced levels, taught by Ragamala Artistic Director Ranee Ramaswamy, Associate Artistic Director Aparna Ramaswamy, and company dancers Tamara Nadel and Shelly Dreyling. Introductory Bharatanatyam Class Saturdays, 12pm - 1pm This class is currently OPEN to new students. Please email info@ragamala.net or call 612-824-1968 for more information, or to sign up for this class. We also invite dancers with experience to audition for our upper level classes. Please call 612-824-1968 or email info@ragamala.net for more information. LOCATION Ragamala’s studio is conveniently located in Uptown, Minneapolis, at the corner of Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue: Calhoun Building 711 West Lake Street, Suite 308 Minneapolis, Minnesota.   DIRECTIONS TO THE RAGAMALA STUDIO From I-94 West: Exit at Hennepin-Lyndale. Take Lyndale Avenue South. After Lake Street, turn right on 31st Street, then take an immediate right on Aldrich Avenue and park on this block. The main entrance to the Calhoun Building is located on Lake Street, between Aldrich and Lyndale. From I-35W North: Exit at Lake Street. Take a left at the first traffic light (before Lake Street), which is 31st Street. After Lyndale Avenue, take a right on Aldrich and park on this block. The main entrance to the Calhoun Building is located on Lake Street, between Aldrich and Lyndale.   CLASS DESCRIPTIONS Adavu: Students learn the basic series of basic rhythmic movements of the feet and accompanying hand gestures. All new students, even those who have studied different styles of Bharatanatyam, must begin in an Introductory Adavu class in order to learn the basic technique of Pandanallur style. Advanced Beginning: Students begin learning basic dance pieces, such as Alarippu and Jathiswaram Intermediate: Students learn increasingly complex rhythmic pieces, such as Thillana. Advanced: Students are introduced to more complex dance pieces, such as Varnam and Padams, through which they learn the technique of abhinaya (the narrative/expressive aspect of dance).