Artistic Directors Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy named 2011 Artists of the Year
1/10/2012

Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy have been named 2011 Artists of the Year by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Other year-end mentions include MPR News and a Star Tribune online video preview of the finalists by the paper’s senior arts editor. This honor caps off the company’s most successful year to date, and with it we would like to announce that Ragamala has been invited to perform at the prestigious American Dance Festival this summer, July 10-12, 2012.

Aparna Ramaswamy performs at Parampara Festival, Kerala, India
12/03/2011

On November 3rd, Ragamala Co-Artistic Director and Principal Dancer Aparna Ramaswamy presented an evening-length solo performance as part of the Soorya Parampara Festival in Trivandrum, India. The Soorya Parampara Festival features solo performances by protégés of illustrious gurus to showcase them as artists of the next generation.

Full crowds, great reviews for Sacred Earth
9/30/2011

The Minneapolis Star Tribune writes, “While Sacred Earth showcases the troupe’s total commitment to the Indian dance form Bharatanatyam, it’s also a fine example of what magic can happen when movement, visual artistry and music exist in close harmony with one another on stage.” Please click here to read the full review. Sacred Earth also received positive press from the City Pages, Twin Cities Daily Planet, and Mnartists.org.

Ragamala will be touring Sacred Earth to 23 cities this season, with Indiana State University being the first venue on October 18th. Please check the tour schedule to see if the company is coming to a stage near you! An excerpt of Sacred Earth is available for viewing on the main page of this site.

Ranee Ramaswamy

Ragamala Artistic Director Ranee Ramaswamy Receives 2011 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award
5/28/2011

Ragamala is thrilled to announce that Artistic Director Ranee Ramaswamy has been named the 2011 McKnight Distinguished Artist, in recognition of artistic excellence spanning more than three decades. Now in its 14th year, the annual honor recognizes individual Minnesota artists who have made significant contributions to the quality of the state’s cultural life. Go to Ragamala’s Media Room to download a pdf of the Distinguished Artist Book.

Ragamala Dance at Maximum India: REVIEW The New York Times

3/13/2011

On Wednesday, March 9, Ragamala performed as part of the John F. Kennedy Center’s maximum INDIA festival. The company received a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd, as well as a rave review from The New York Times’ chief dance critic, Alastair Macaulay.

Also check out Minnesota Public Radio’s State of the Arts blog by Marianne Combs

Musicians

Yathra (Journey) premieres at the Kennedy Center in D.C. and the O'Shaughnessy in St. Paul this March
1/13/2011

Original music composed and played live by Shubhendra Rao (sitar) and Saskia Rao (Indian cello)

The Maximum India video trailer is now online! Please click here to watch it!

Please click here to view the official Maximum India brochure from the Kennedy Center!

Ragamala's 2010 Tour of India
12/15/2010

Soorya Festival
October 2-10, 2010
Kerala, India

Ragamala receives prestigious National Dance Project grant
8/21/2010

Ragamala is one of 21 companies nationwide to receive a National Dance Project Touring Grant. This is a wonderful opportunity for the company to tour extensively throughout the country.

Ragamala invited to the Kennedy Center in 2011
7/21/2010

Washington, D.C. — The Kennedy Center’s 40th season highlights a wide breadth of creative programming. From March 2 to March 20, 2011, The Center will demonstrate the vibrancy of Indian culture with maximum INDIA, an unprecedented celebration of Indian arts and culture that will include performances in music, dance, and theater, as well as exhibitions featuring contemporary visual art and the finest textiles, pottery, jewels, cuisine, and more. The festival is presented in cooperation with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.