By Kelly Apter
August 24, 2
★★★★
INTOXICATING BLEND OF TENDER AND STRONG
Ragamala’s sisters produce a joyful and rhythmic tribute to ancient movement
Bharatanatyam grows and evolves with each practitioner, so although the movement we see performed in this exquisite quadruple bill is over 2000 years old, it feels fresh and new. Sisters Aparna and Ashwini Ramaswamy of Minneapolis-based Ragamala Dance Company glow in their green silk sarees, head gear and ankle bells, their deep eye make-up extenuating the meaningful gazes that form such an integral part of this Indian dance style.
The show opens with titular piece, ‘Ananta’, in which we see both sisters pay homage to the Hindu deity Mahavishnu. Choreographed by Aparna, the duet is a dramatic mix of countermovement and unison, filled with devotion and love. Aparna takes centre stage for ‘Om Kara Karini’ (which she also created), a solo work in which she embodies the role of Devi, The Divine Mother. Here we see a wonderful blend of gentleness and forcefulness, as she looks after the world with both tenderness and strength.
Choreographed by the sisters’ guru, Alarmel Valli, ‘Shankara Sri Gir’ is danced by Ashwini, who also displays dual qualities, this time of Shiva Nataraja. Depicting the rhythms of the cosmos, she reflects both destruction and creation with passion and grace. Coming together for the closing piece, ‘Thillana’ (once again choreographed by Aparna), the sisters deliver a celebration of life itself. Filled with looks and gestures that radiate joy, it’s as if the sun has burst through the clouds in this darkened space.