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D.S. Aiyellu

Ragamala Dance Company: “Children of Dharma”

January 12, 2025

The troupe, led by a mother and two daughters—Aparna Ramaswamy, Ranee Ramaswamy (mother) and Ashwini Ramaswamy—presented “Children of Dharma,” based on elements of the famous Hindu epic "The Mahabharata." A totally original interpretation of this age-old story, it is a complicated tale about Krishna, “the embodiment of nature,” (a bare-chested Garrett Sour wearing just a plain dhoti), somewhat explicated by a voiceover narration recited by Leon Conrad.  Two other characters dominate:  Draupati whose epic dice game incites an epic war and Gandari, who tragically loses and mourns her many children. [more]

Ragamala Dance Company: Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim

September 25, 2021

As the opaquely complicated plot played out on the stage, the three lead dancers (Ranee, Aparna and Ashwini Ramaswamy) took turns displaying impeccable Bharatanatyam technique:  feet adorned with ghungroos (ankle bells), softly pounding out clear rhythms in varied positions, arms, exquisitely expressive, moving in striking patterns topped by constantly changing hand positions (mudras) which communicated character, mood and, to some extent, the story as it unfolded. [more]