Ragamala Dance Company, Written In Water
Thu, Oct 18, 2018, 11 am–12:15 pm
Bass Concert Hall

This multidisciplinary work is performed by five traditional South Indian Bharatanatyam dancers and a live music ensemble of Iraqi, jazz, and Carnatic instruments. The performance also features original artwork projected on the stage floor and projection screen.

Many cultural elements are incorporated into the Written in Water performance, including:

• Second century Indian board game, Paramapadham (the precursor to Snakes and Ladders)
• Hindu myth, “Churning of the Ocean of Milk”
• 12th century Sufi poem, “A Conference of Birds”

Related lesson ideas: Celebration of Cultures; Bharatanatyam Dance; Life Lessons in Chutes & Ladders; Hindu Mythology; Persian Poetry

Watch this space for related lessons and resources.

Learn more about the Ragamala Dance Group here.

About Youth Performances

Through our Campus and Community Engagement program, Texas Performing Arts offers daytime youth performances of select Essential Series performances especially designed to inspire students in grades 7-12. Youth Performances are available free of charge for educators and students in Austin and the Central Texas area.

TPA staff members provide corresponding educational materials to enhance the student experience. Following each youth performance, we provide a Q & A session to encourage students to interact with artists.

Seating is limited to 150 per school. Special requests may be allowed for larger groups.

Reserve Your Spot

Written in Water Trailer from Ragamala Dance Company on YouTube.

Fun Facts:

• The company is currently under the direction of its co-founder Ranee Ramaswamy and her daughter Aparna, who is a first-generation Indian-American artist.
• In 2017, the company’s 25th year, long-time Ragamala soloist Ashwini Ramaswamy joined her mother and sister in their partnership. The trifecta allows for multigenerational perspectives on the immigrant experience and artistic expression.
• Ranee serves on the National Council on the Arts, appointed by President Barack Obama.
• Ranee and Aparna are protégés of the legendary dancer and choreographer Alarmel Valli, known as one of India’s greatest living masters.
• Considered by Rumi to be “the master” of Sufi mystic poetry, Farid ud-Din Attar is best known for his epic poem The Conference of the Birds, a magnificent allegorical tale about the soul’s search for meaning.