Walker Commission/World Premiere

Dhvee (Duality) - Scenes from the Ramayana
A Global Collaboration

October 1-4, 2009
Walker Art Center's McGuire Theater


"The recent development and presentation of Sethu, Ragamala's remarkable retelling of the Ramayana, was one of the true highlights of recent years for us here at the Walker Art Center. The fact that it attracted a diverse joyous audience of nearly 6,000 people over two gorgeous nights in the Walker's sculpture garden certainly made the experience memorable and popularly successful beyond any of our expectations. However, it was actually [Ranee's] artistry and the unlikely but inspired combination of contemporary Bharatanatyam, the Balinese male vocal form of Kecak, Javanese gamelan, and South Indian Carnatic music that made is such an important achievement. I attribute the spirit of selfless collaboration evident throughout the process in large part to [Ranee's] remarkable ability and vision."

-Phillip Bither, William and Nadine McGuire Senior Curator,
Performing Arts, Walker Art Center

Profound and joyous, Dhvee (Duality) brings together Balinese and South Indian dance and music traditions to explore the nature of myth and its influence on humanity. The second collaboration between Ragamala Dance and Çudamani--the masterful dance and gamelan orchestra ensemble from Pengosekan Village, Bali--Dhvee is inspired by three pivotal scenes from the sacred Hindu text Ramayana to underscore the internal conflict between the animal and divine aspects of man. Featuring over 25 performers, Dhvee connects the expressive vibrancy of Bharatanatyam and a live South Indian carnatic orchestra with Balinese dances in the classic Legong and Kebyar genres and the visually sumptuous gamelan gendar. Co-commissioned by the Walker Art Center and the Joyce Foundation.

Choreography: Ranee Ramaswamy, Aparna Ramaswamy, and I Dewa Putu Berata
Musical Score: Prema Ramamurthy and I Dewa Putu Berata

Performance Information
October 1st, 8:00pm
($18/$15 Walker members)

October 2nd, 8:00 pm, October 3rd, 8:00 pm, October 4th, 2:00pm
($25/$21 Walker members)

For tickets, contact 612.375.7600 or walkerart.org


Dhvee is made possible in part by a Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation, the Travelers' Arts & Diversity Employee Committee, the RBC Foundation - USA, the United Arts Fund of COMPAS, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Asian Pacific Endowment, a component fund of SpectrumTrust of The Saint Paul Foundation.

All entrances and public areas at the Walker Art Center, including the McGuire Theater, are wheelchair accessible. Elevators are available throughout the Walker. Wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis and are available for checkout at both lobby desks. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted. Hearing augmentation devices are available, and can be borrowed from the lobby desks free of charge. Signed Interpretation is available; please call the box office at least two weeks in advance to arrange for a signer. Please contact the Walker box office if you have any questions regarding accessibility.