April 17 2020
Dear friend,
Through the experience of awe, we can find deep inspiration. Since 1983, the immeasurable awe we feel every time we see our guru, Smt. Alarmél Valli, perform and teach is what feeds our artistic purpose and imagination.
Feeling awe at what the world has to offer can be a positive way through a difficult situation - if we are able to appreciate the most beautiful aspects of nature, history, and art, we may be able to reflect upon the larger world and on our place within it.
We so enjoy the wonderful feedback you have been sending regarding this new weekly e-series, and we hope that it brings a bit of joy to your inbox. We will keep sharing stories, videos, and articles that you might find meaningful during this time.
Until next week, please stay safe and healthy,
Ranee, Aparna, Ashwini, and
the Ragamala staff
EXPERIENCE
Video excerpts of a class with Smt. Alarmél Valli
Last May, our guru, Smt. Alarmél Valli, was in Minneapolis to work with us on a new piece and give an artist talk at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Caitlin Hammel/Perimeter Productions filmed the class to give you a view of both the students (Ranee, Aparna, and Ashwini), and Ms. Valli as she teaches. It's a rare glimpse into the learning process that we thought you might enjoy.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our new online content!
ENGAGE
Chef Raghavan Iyer uses his culture to re-define 'comfort foods'
When Chef, best-selling cookbook author, and great friend to Ragamala Raghavan Iyer was diagnosed with cancer, he realized the healthcare system was missing nutritional guidance for diets other than those Eurocentric and Mediterranean-based.
In a new project, Iyer explores what it takes to transform comfort foods from various cultures into nutritionally fortified cancer recovery foods. We are in awe of this incredible initiative - watch him on PBS/TPT's 'Relish'
EXPLORE
Explore awe-inspiring sites from home
One of the great joys of going on tour is being able to visit some of the world's most magnificent sites - our dancers have experienced backstage tours of the Met Opera in Manhattan, explored the monkey forests of Ubud, Bali, and roamed the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, among others. This might be the ideal time to virtually visit places that you might not have even thought to see before - and perhaps plan to physically visit someday in the future!
The need for social distancing may have forced museums and historic sites around the world to close their doors for now, but many have made their spaces, exhibits and collections available to anyone with a digital device and a decent web connection.
We would love to stay connected with you: please let us know your reactions to the videos, article, and recipe 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.