Ragamala Music and Dance Theater

Sva (Vital Force)

Sound is the first element in an unfolding universe

Sva's three works unfold the beauty elegance, and driving rhythmic complexities of Bharatanatyam

Ardhanareeshwara Stotram the origin of the creation is conceived as the celestial unity of the Divine Feminine, Shakti, and the Divine Masculine, Shiva. The transcendent balance of Ardhanareeshwara (the representation of Good as half-male and half-female) reflects the constant symmetry of the world itself. Performed by acclaimed soloist Aparna Ramaswamy, the ancient hymn known as the Ardhanareeshwara Stotram is a sublime homage to the sacred concept of duality.

Yathra (Journey) explores the intricacies of the human journey - from the dawn of birth to the twilight of life. With an original score by renowned New Delhi-based composers Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas that intertwines the deep, haunting tones of the cello with the virtuosic harmonies and emotional range of the sitar, Yathra is an exquisitely layered artistic rendering of the human experience.

Sva (Vital Force) embodies the rhythm and flow of life and the primordial sound that unites all of creation - the sacred and the profane, the animate and inanimate. Based in Nagano, Japan, Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara's sweeping movements, thundering force, and stunning physicality brilliantly compliment Ragamala's fluid precision, punctuated footwork, and sustained gestures. Sva highlights the creativity of two lauded young masters of their respective forms, Art Lee and Aparna Ramaswamy, and explores the kinships between Taiko and Bharatanatyam an, the spiritual traditions from which they emerged, and their journey into the 21st century.

Every part of [Aparna's] body is engaged from her eyes to her fingertips, and as she seamlessly moves through pensive to aggressive state, she summons up the ancient duality. Ramaswamy's interpretation is so confident that her performances alway seem effortless."
- Mpls/St. Paul Magazine

"With a fine command over technique and innovative creativity, [Shubhendra Rao] evokes the various facets of the music and its moods, rendering a wholesome perspective and maturity far belying his years."
-The Hindustan Times

"An entertaining, sublime dance exhibition. Juxtaposed against the powerful rhythms of Tokara's drums, [Ragamala's] sharp, subtle gestures become graspingly beautful."
-Time out New York

Full Reviews of Sva (Vital Force):
Southern Theater
Edinburgh Fringe Festival

***

Video of Sva (Vital Force)

Sva is made possible in part by the Japan Foundation through the Performing Arts Japan Program, the Doris Duke Fund for Dance of the National Dance Project (a program administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation and MetLife Foundation), the American Composers' Forum with Funds provided by the Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer's Global Connections, the RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation, the General Mills Foundation through the “Celebrating Communities of Color” program, the Travelers’ Arts & Diversity Employee Committee, the Jerome Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature.

6-8 Dancers; 3-4 Drummers
Accompanying community residency with Ragamala and Tokara

Available for touring

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Sva (Vital Force) Sound is the first element in an unfolding universe Sva's three works unfold the beauty elegance, and driving rhythmic complexities of Bharatanatyam
Ardhanareeshwara Stotram the origin of the creation is conceived as the celestial unity of the Divine Feminine, Shakti, and the Divine Masculine, Shiva. The transcendent balance of Ardhanareeshwara (the representation of Good as half-male and half-female) reflects the constant symmetry of the world itself. Performed by acclaimed soloist Aparna Ramaswamy, the ancient hymn known as the Ardhanareeshwara Stotram is a sublime homage to the sacred concept of duality. Yathra (Journey) explores the intricacies of the human journey - from the dawn of birth to the twilight of life. With an original score by renowned New Delhi-based composers Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas that intertwines the deep, haunting tones of the cello with the virtuosic harmonies and emotional range of the sitar, Yathra is an exquisitely layered artistic rendering of the human experience. Sva (Vital Force) embodies the rhythm and flow of life and the primordial sound that unites all of creation - the sacred and the profane, the animate and inanimate. Based in Nagano, Japan, Wadaiko Ensemble Tokara's sweeping movements, thundering force, and stunning physicality brilliantly compliment Ragamala's fluid precision, punctuated footwork, and sustained gestures. Sva highlights the creativity of two lauded young masters of their respective forms, Art Lee and Aparna Ramaswamy, and explores the kinships between Taiko and Bharatanatyam an, the spiritual traditions from which they emerged, and their journey into the 21st century.		Every part of [Aparna's] body is engaged from her eyes to her fingertips, and as she seamlessly moves through pensive to aggressive state, she summons up the ancient duality. Ramaswamy's interpretation is so confident that her performances alway seem effortless." - Mpls/St. Paul Magazine "With a fine command over technique and innovative creativity, [Shubhendra Rao] evokes the various facets of the music and its moods, rendering a wholesome perspective and maturity far belying his years." -The Hindustan Times "An entertaining, sublime dance exhibition. Juxtaposed against the powerful rhythms of Tokara's drums, [Ragamala's] sharp, subtle gestures become graspingly beautful." -Time out New York Full Reviews of Sva (Vital Force): Southern Theater Edinburgh Fringe Festival ***** Video of Sva (Vital Force)**

Sva is made possible in part by the Japan Foundation through the Performing Arts Japan Program, the Doris Duke Fund for Dance of the National Dance Project (a program administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation and MetLife Foundation), the American Composers' Forum with Funds provided by the Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer's Global Connections, the RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation, the General Mills Foundation through the “Celebrating Communities of Color” program, the Travelers’ Arts & Diversity Employee Committee, the Jerome Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature. 6-8 Dancers; 3-4 Drummers Accompanying community residency with Ragamala and Tokara Available for touring Back to Performances