April 3, 2020
Dear friend,
We received great responses to last week's 'The Intangible Experience' content. Please keep writing to us - we love hearing from you!
This week, we are focusing on the joyful unity between artists and audiences. A central concept within the Indian performing arts is Bhava-Rasa, where both the viewer and the artist play an active role in the performance experience. Bhava is an emotion/state of mind, and the 'feeling' or 'taste' of Rasa creates the aesthetic enjoyment.
We hope that you find value in our creative and communal output - we certainly could not create, teach, or perform without you. We continue to share the things we find meaningful during this time, and thank you for being part of the family.
Until next week, please stay safe and healthy,
Ranee, Aparna, Ashwini, and
the Ragamala staff
EXPERIENCE
New this week: Our final performance of the season
Ragamala performed one of our signature works, Sacred Earth , on March 8 at The Sheldon Theater in Red Wing, MN - just a few days before large gatherings and performances ceased around the country.
This performance had special significance, as our incredible Carnatic orchestra was here from India, bringing a new level of joy and a palpable unity between the dancers, the musicians, and the audience to the stage.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our new online content!
ENGAGE
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, one of the world's greatest living musicians, is uniting an isolated world through music. “In these days of anxiety, I wanted to find a way to continue to share some of the music that gives me comfort,” he tweeted.
He is posting a new series of videos, #SongsOfComfort — using his music as an act of servitude..
“It's really an invitation for everybody to join in because we now do have social media as a medium to give comfort,” he says. “This is what we can do for one another and be more communal.”
EXPLORE
Yoga from home
In these times when everyone must remain at home, Ragamala is grateful that some of our favorite yoga instructors are teaching free/donation-based yoga classes virtually. These are the classes we are currently taking - check them out if you are in need of some deep breathing and positive movement!
Aaron Asmundson
Saturdays, 9:30am (75 minutes)
Sundays, 12:00pm (1 hour)
Aparna and Ashwini Ramaswamy have been taking Aaron's weekly yoga class for the last few years - his calming, straightforward instruction make any day better.
Berit Ahlgren
Fridays, 10:00am (1 hour)
Meeting ID: 758 069 179
Password: 246229
Dancer/Choreographer Berit Ahlgren was a collaborator on Ashwini Ramaswamy's latest project, Let the Crows Come. Her years of dance training and Masters in dance education lend grace and serenity to her yoga and Pilates classes.
We would love to stay connected with you: please let us know your reactions to the videos, experiences, and classes we have shared this week by commenting on this post or posting on our Facebook page.
As we all navigate this strange and uncertain time, we know that many organizations could use your support. If you are able, please consider supporting Ragamala so we may continue to provide artistic experiences that move and connect us all long into the future.