Star Tribune - Alarmél Valli Artist Talk & Performance

Ragamala Dance Company hosts rare U.S. performance by Indian dance guru
September 13, 2017
Sheila Regan, Star Tribune
Original Article

Ragamala Dance Company kicks off its 25th season by honoring the woman who taught them everything they know. When Ragamala artistic director Aparna Ramaswamy was just 8 years old, she was selected by guru Alarmél Valli for training in Bharatanatyam, an ancient form of classical Indian dance. Aparna's mother and Ragamala co-artistic director Ranee Ramaswamy also studied under Valli. For more than 30 years, the Ramaswamy family — including now Aparna's sister, Ashwini — have traveled regularly to work with Valli in India. Now the Ramaswamys have brought their teacher to Minneapolis for a rare U.S. performance by the Bharatanatyam master.

7 p.m. Thu., 7:30 p.m. Sat., Cowles Center, Mpls., $15-$29, 612-206-3636 or thecowlescenter.org.