Ragamala Dance Company

Founded in 1992 by Ranee Ramaswamy, Ragamala Dance Company is dedicated to honoring and redefining a personal vision for the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam. Ranee originally envisioned the company as a gift to her eldest daughter Aparna Ramaswamy, believing that Aparna "was a dancer in her previous birth," (NPR). 

As executive artistic director, Aparna skillfully weaves the rich traditions and philosophical depth of Bharatanatyam with her perspective as a first-generation Indian American. 

The family dynamic continues with Ashwini Ramaswamy, Ranee's youngest daughter and the company's current choreographic associate. Drawing from her family's passion, Ashwini's "imagination [makes] space, not just for more generations but for more ways of thinking,"  
(The New York Times

EXPLORE MORE FROM RAGAMALA:

NOW TOURING: CHILDREN OF DHARMA

Children of Dharma explores life - forever sprouting, transforming, dissolving, and renewing - through three characters from the Hindu epic The Mahabharata; these myths reveal the power of ancient cultures to reaffirm humanity’s relationship with nature and the sacred. Premiered at Northrop at the University of MN on November 2, 2024.

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

 

 

 

Activities in Minnesota so far this year:

American Association of University Women (Company Performance) - St. Paul. MN

Normandale Elementary Cultural Festival (Student Performance) - Edina, MN

Thomson Park Activity Center (Senior Center) - West St. Paul, MN

Marcy Elementary School (3-day residency), Minneapolis, MN

Landmark Center (Student Recital), St. Paul, MN

Songkran Festival/Thai New Year (Student Performance) - St. Paul, MN

Global MN Gala (Company Performance) - Golden Valley, MN

Flint Hills Festival (Kolam/visual art instruction + Student Performance) - St. Paul, MN

Friendship Festival (Company Performance) - Pelican Rapids, MN

Center for Performing Arts (Weeklong Arts Camp) - Minneapolis, MN

IndiaFest (Student Performance) - St. Paul, MN

Minnesota State Fair (Student Performance) - St. Paul

University of MN (Guest Lecture at Art of India class) - Minneapolis, MN

Macalster College South Asian Festival (Company Performance) - St. Paul

Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple (Company Performance) - Edina,MN

Center for Performing Arts (Open rehearsal) - Minneapolis, MN

Upcoming Events with Northrop - Minneapolis, MN

Arts Exploration Class (Lecture/Demonstration) - Minneapolis, MN

Virtual Season Preview (Conversation) - online

Fall Spotlight Series (Performance and Panel Discussion) - Minneapolis, MN

Education Performance - Minneapolis, MN

World Premiere of Children of Dharma + Pre and Post-show events - Minneapolis, MN