Sethu (Bridge) Commissioned by Walker Art Center AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING indoor or outdoor venues

Watch a VIDEO CLIP of this performance! Commissioned by Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Sethu (Bridge) is a pioneering global collaborative work that combines South Indian Bharatanatyam dance and Kecak, the powerful vocal tradition of Bali, to create a stunning presentation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Ragamala Artistic Director/Choreographer Ranee Ramaswamy joins forces with Kecak composer/choreographer I Dewa Puta Berata, Artistic Director of the Bali-based Cudamani ensemble, to create this unique cross-cultural collaboration. Sethu features Ragamala principal dancer/choreographer Aparna Ramaswamy and 5 Ragamala dancers, a Carnatic (South Indian classical) music ensemble led by acclaimed vocalist Nirmala Rajasekar, a gamelan orchestra, and a locally recruited Kecak chorus trained and led by Mr. Dewa. The premiere of Sethu in September of 2004 drew an audience of close to 6000 to the Walker Art Center's Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Presensted at dusk, illuminated by the glow of torches, the outdoor setting recalled the traditional milieu of the Kecak form - a performance presented on an open-air stage, in which the community gathers to watch a presentation of the Ramayana. (Sethu may be presented at indoor or outdoor venues.) 6 dancers; 10-20 musicians; May include 10-day community residency to train local chorus Available for booking

"It was such a joy to see a company of international collaborators meet in Minneapolis, plan a massive project and then, so beautifully, rise to the occasion." --Rohan Preston, Minneapolis Star Tribune Full Review “Sethu was an outstanding addition to our World Music and Dance Series. The colorful costumes, the innovative choreography, the rich culture…an inspirational experience for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Wharton Center prides itself on presenting world-class arts entertainment, and Ragamala was no exception. Rave reviews all around!” --Michael Brand,Executive Director, Wharton Center for Performing Arts "Sethu has left an indelible impression. I have never seen such wonderful co-ordination, and seamless transition from Bharatanatyam to Kecak. Ranee Ramaswamy has maintained the purity of Bharatanatyam both in spirit and movement, each dancer executing it with such praiseworthy perfection. Ragamala has created history and deserves bouquets for their wonderful artistic venture." --Dr. Sunil Kothari Renowned author and scholar of Indian Dance