Transferring to the Ragamala School

Dancers who have studied Bharatanatyam with other teachers are invited to audition for Ragamala’s upper level classes. Please call 612-824-1968 or email info@ragamala.net for more information or to schedule an audition.

The audition will allow Ragamala’s Artistic Directors, Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy, to observe the style in which the student has trained, see how closely that style resembles Ragamala’s, and assess the student’s technique and abilities. New students are welcome to bring recorded music and show a portion of a piece learned from their previous teacher. If you do not have recorded music, or if it has been a few years since you have danced, not to worry. Alarippu, or even a series of Adavus, will be more than enough to allow us to observe your ability.

Often, dancers coming from other teachers will be asked to begin in Adavu class. This is for the benefit of the student, as it allows the student to properly absorb the technique of Ragamala’s signature style, which has been carefully created by Padma Bhushan Alarmel Valli, rooted in the Pandanainallur tradition. However, experienced students often learn at a fast pace, and will be transferred to a more advanced class as soon as their teachers believe they are ready. Occasionally, a student with an advanced level of training may be placed immediately in an upper level class.