Raga & Rasa event featuring Ramayana – Poetry in motion on
Sunday May 18, 2014
3:30 pm

Music is evocative; it affects our mind, body and feelings and transforms lives.  Transforming lives is indeed the daily activity of the non-profit social service organization Udavum Karangal.  So to lend a helping hand to Udavum Karangal‘s activities of providing a new lease on life to nearly 2500 people, from newborn babies, abandoned, sick, orphaned, to the old and dying, a benefit event titled “Raga and Rasa” is being  planned for Sunday May 18^th 2014 at Diamond Middle School, in Lexington, MA . 

The “Raga and Rasa” event will start promptly at 3:30p.m and has two segments to it.  There will be a music medley by students of Sandhya Sridhar, a 6-person violin ensemble by Tara Anand’s students, followed by songs on the keyboard.  The stage will then transition to the feature presentation of a Bharatanatyam rendition of the Ramayana that will begin at 4:45p.m.  Join us, as we journey back in time watch Ramayana come ALIVE!

The Ramayana production is a creative yet traditional, tastefully unique production that seamlessly integrates verses from the various literary poetic compositions of Valmiki, Kamban, Tulsidas, Tyagraja, Arunachala Kavi, Swathi Thirunal and Narsing Mehta with engaging English narration to journey through the various khandas (chapters) and weave a concise storyboard of the entire epic.  The original production is the brainchild of Ranjani Saigal with input from several scholars including Dr. Balram Singh, Dr. Bijoy Misra,  Dr. Uma Nellaiappan, Chandu Shah and Dr. R.S Ayyar with music set by Smt. Geeta Murali.  The production was made possible with a grant in 2008 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council Traditional Arts Apprentice Award given to the talented Amudha Pazhanisamy, grand-niece of the legendary dancer Balasaraswati, to continue studying with her guru Ranjani Saigal.  This time around, the drama is being re-enacted as before with Amudha Pazhanisamy the dancer, Ranjani Saigal doing the narration & nattuvangam but with a new orchestra of talented young adults. Sisters Swathi and Bavna Sivasubramanian will be doing the vocals, Ajay Ravichandran on the Mridangam, Ajay Karthik on the violin, and Kavitha Pazhanisamy on the veena.  This is a must see, engaging performance and a true feast for the eyes. 

We are counting on your presence and support to make this event a success. 

Tickets $25, 50 and 100; Snacks and dinner are included in the ticket price.  Children under 6 are free. 

Venue – Diamond Middle School, 60 Sedge Rd, Lexington, MA

Time: 3:30p.m. - Music Medley;   4:45p.m. - Ramayana –Poetry in Motion

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