Bells imported from India hang above the stage during a Ragamala Dance rehearsal at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Monday, May 12, 2014. Ragamala Dance is premiering its new performance "Song of the Jasmine" at the Walker beginning May 15, 2014.
The highly-acclaimed Minneapolis-based dance company Ragamala is premiering a new performance this weekend at the Walker Art Center. The show, "Song of the Jasmine," is collaboration with New York-based jazz saxophonist and composer Rudresh Mahanthappa.
The unique blend of Indian classical dance and jazz will head out on a national tour after this weekend's premiere.
Aparna Ramaswamy and other Ragamala Dance members rehearse at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Monday, May 12, 2014. Ragamala Dance is premiering its new performance "Song of the Jasmine" at the Walker beginning May 15, 2014.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
Ragamala has received much acclaim in recent months. Most recently, the company's founder Ranee Ramaswamy won a Doris Duke Artist Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; an award that includes a $275,000 prize. In 2012, Ramaswamy was named to the National Council on the Arts by President Barack Obama.
Ragamala's co-directors, mother and daughter Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy spoke to The Daily Circuit about where -- and how -- jazz and classical Indian dance meet.
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Ragamala Dance co-artistic directors Ranee Ramaswamy, right, and her daughter Aparna Ramaswamy dance together during a rehearsal at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Monday, May 12, 2014. Ragamala Dance is premiering its new performance "Song of the Jasmine" at the Walker beginning May 15, 2014.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
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Ragamala Dance members rehearse at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Monday, May 12, 2014. Ragamala Dance is premiering its new performance "Song of the Jasmine" at the Walker beginning May 15, 2014.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
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Saxophonist and composer Rudresh Mahanthappa, center, jazz guitarist Rez Abassi, left, and Raman Kalyan on South Indian flute rehearse with Ragamala Dance at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minn. Monday, May 12, 2014. Ragamala Dance is collaborating with the jazz musicians for their new performance "Song of the Jasmine" at the Walker opening May 15, 2014.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
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