Arts Learning

On Oct 18–28, 2012, Ragamala hosted master Bharatanatyam dancer/choreographer Alarmel Valli for an 11-day residency with her 4-person orchestra and light designer. Activities included: a public performance at the Cowles Center accompanied by short lectures on the poetry/history of Bharatanatyam and her unique contemporary perspective; a screening of a documentary film about her life, career, and aesthetic followed by a reception/conversation with the audience; and daily classes with Ragamala. Despite being seriously ill with the flu, her activities were highly lauded. Minnesotans got an opportunity to learn about Bharatanatyam, an inside look at Ms. Valli’s singular aesthetic, and insight into the way an ancient form—in a master’s hands—can be contemporary and vital. Ragamala artists got an in-depth learning experience, new skills as performers/teachers, and new insight to pass on to local students. Outcomes were evaluated through written surveys, email/Facebook, and meetings with staff/board. Because of the film element of this project, we made an effort to reach out to film audiences. We sought advice from local documentary filmmaker Caitlin Hammel and, on her recommendation, placed posters/flyers at independent movie theaters (Lagoon, Uptown, Edina, Bell Museum etc.) and film departments at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and reached out to the Independent Filmmaker Project. Audiences exceeded our expectations and included many new to Ragamala. We had intended to offer a “Bharatanatyam for Dancers” master class by Ms. Valli geared toward Minnesota dancers/choreographers working in other forms of dance. Based on past feedback, in which local artists expressed interest in taking a master class from Ms. Valli, we reached out to dance companies and dance schools via emails and personal phone calls. We invited them to the free class and offered free tickets to the film. Regretfully, due to her illness, Ms. Valli ultimately cancelled the class. 30 dance artists/students took advantage of the free tickets. 2: Attendance at Ms. Valli’s performance was 442. Attendance at the documentary film was 129, with approximately 50 staying for the post-screening reception and conversation. Audiences at both events exceeded expectations. Audience surveys and observation indicated that many were not regular attendees at Ragamala events, demonstrating that we were successful in engaging more Minnesotans. As noted above, in addition to our regular promotional activities (mailings, posters, emails, Facebook), we specifically reached out to documentary film audiences and local dance artists. While we ultimately had to cancel the “Bharatanatyam for Dancers” class, our outreach to local dance companies and schools allowed us to get the word out personally to the dance community about Ms. Valli’s residency, and encourage dance artists to take advantage of the learning opportunities at the Cowles. This project served 577 Minnesotans. Strategies were developed by Ragamala staff/board in consultation with documentary filmmaker Caitlin Hammel and colleagues in the dance field who helped us reach their constituencies. We reached out to Indian American youth, for whom the opportunity to experience the highest quality of their own classical traditions is rare. Our success was cited in the Star Tribune, with a photo of Ms. Valli surrounded by young Indian girls waiting for her autograph: www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=175431981. We reached out to local community-based Bharatanatyam teachers/amateur performers to plan a “Master Class for Bharatanatyam Dancers.” Local teacher Suchi Sairam offered to host it at her studio. Between her students, Ragamala students, and community dancers, we expected attendance of 30-35. Regretfully, due to her illness, Ms. Valli cancelled the class, but many dancers and students took advantage of the opportunity to learn from her activities at the Cowles.