Ananta, The Eternal

“Aparna Ramaswamy is rapturous and profound … an enchantingly beautiful dancer.” — The New York Times

“Ashwini Ramaswamy weaves together, both fearfully and joyfully, the human and the divine.”  — The New York Times

Guggenheim Fellow and Doris Duke Award recipient Aparna Ramaswamy’s newest work—Ananta, The Eternal—weaves together threads of body, memory, desire, and devotion. Sisters and acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancers/choreographers Aparna Ramaswamy and Ashwini Ramaswamy come together for their first duet evening.

 Ananta describes the eternal relationship between the deity and the devotee. The experience of beholding the image of a deity with one’s own eyes is a central act of worship and charged with meaning—it is reciprocal and electric. The sacred is present in this auspicious moment; through the meeting of the eyes, one gains the grace of the divine.

 Aparna and Ashwini are accompanied by extraordinary musicians from Chennai, India, extending dialogues of improvisation and abstraction in dance.

Press:
"Seeing them dance in this all of a piece mixed bill can induce an almost rapturous satisfaction, akin to being given a gift or having a bright, awake dream.” - Pulse Connects 

BBC News WorldWide - Segment on Ananta, the Eternal at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

"10 can’t-miss dance shows in and around L.A. this fall” - The Los Angeles Times

program notes
 

Ananta, The Eternal is created with special commissioning funds from The Mayer Family.