Children of Dharma

Children of Dharma explores life— forever sprouting, transforming, dissolving, and renewing— through three characters from the Hindu epic The Mahabharata. These myths reveal the power of ancient cultures to reaffirm humanity’s relationship with nature and the sacred, and provoke a visceral response to crises over the ages, from environmental devastation and oppression to unjust wars.

Through lush visual imagery, an original recorded score, and poetic movement that integrates intimate solos with powerful ensemble choreography for the company’s seven dancers, Children of Dharma channels South Indian culture to unearth some of the most enduring questions of conscience facing humanity.

An evening length performance for 7 dancers, Ragamala Dance Company’s 'Children of Dharma' is staged inside a lush lighting design featuring projections and an original recorded score. The poetic movement integrates a powerful ensemble and intimate solos that channel South Indian culture, unearthing some of the most enduring questions of conscience facing humanity. 'Children of Dharma' explores three characters from the Hindu epic The Mahabharata. These myths reveal the power of ancient cultures to reaffirm humanity’s relationship with nature and the sacred, provoking a visceral response to crises over the ages, from environmental devastation and oppression to unjust wars.

Children of Dharma is commissioned by Northrop at The University of Minnesota, the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University, and The Joyce Theater Foundation's Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work, with additional support by the National Endowment for the Arts, the MAP Fund, New Music USA’s Organization Fund (with support in part from Fifth House Ensemble and legacy contributions to the New Music USA endowment), the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations, the City of St. Paul Cultural Sales Tax  Revitalization Program, the Bob and Kathie Goodale Legacy Foundation, The Dr. Dash Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and promote the rich heritage and culture of India, the Fredrikson & Byron Foundation, and the Ramaswamys' residential fellowships at the Bogliasco Foundation in Genoa, Italy and the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France.

We also thank our Dharma Circle:

 Joan and Rick Ahmann, Marguerite Ahmann and Carey Jeremiason, Andrew and Peggy Baker, Brett Egan, The J.L. Enquist Family Fund, Fay and Steve Finn, Ram and Neena Gada, Thomas and Cindy Gerst, Jeanine and Zach Holden, Donna Kasbohm, Fred and Kay Lazaro, Jai and Jon Maier, Emily Maltz and Jean-Michel Artigaud, Bridget and Tom Mayer, Nithya and Veeresh Mathad, David McKay and Ranee Ramaswamy, María and Mark Nadel, Godan and Savithry Nambudiripad, Lisa Norton, Venkat and Carla Prakash, Louise Robinson and Neal Cuthbert, Beth and Matt Spohn, Irene Suddard, John and Blythe Riske, Martin Riske, Rakesh Satyal and John Maas, Shanti Shah and Stefan Peterson, Sheila and Sanjay Terakanambi, Rachel Traver, Gregory Vilmo, James Wilkinson and Karen Covington, Sara Daggett and Bryan Zeigler, and Anonymous.