October 25, 2008  
 
This year the historic Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and its members will be celebrating Deepavali (the Indian Festival of Lights) with Lester Horton Award winning dancer/choreographer Ramaa Bharadvaj, her daughter Swetha Bharadvaj and their Angahara Dance Ensemble as they present their dance-theater performance STORY OF LIGHT.  Having toured cities in Texas to accolades and standing ovations, Story of Light will now be seen in its premiere performance in Los Angeles.  

The story begins on a darkened stage with a haunting question driven by equally haunting music.    

In the beginning there was only infinite darkness.  But God said "let there be light," and there was Light!  And then what?  What if Light was not so en-lightened after all?  What if it was just as confused as the rest of us about its purpose in life?   

What follows for the next 60 minutes is a rollicking multi-sensorial convergence of vivid storytelling, live chants, riveting music, and dramatic choreography based on traditional rituals and ancient Indian myths that bring together the Creator and the Created for a meaningful heart to heart!  

Conceived, written and choreographed by Ramaa Bharadvaj, and presented in a style that she calls 'Katha-Dance,' this original dance-story-theater unveils the symbolism of Light in the Indian culture through a blend of Sufi wisdom and Hindu mysticism and takes its viewers on a humorous and en"light"ening adventure originating in the land of the Vedas and terminating in Liberty Island, NY.  "Although Indian dancers are storytellers, the stylized language used needs explanations of its own in order for an uninitiated audience to fully follow the stories.  Through this katha-dance format, I connect with my audience through humor and without that prosaic lecture-demo feel," explains Ramaa Bharadvaj.   

This is the third time that Ramaa Bharadvaj has been invited to bring her choreography to the Norton Simon Museum.  Back in 2000 renowned art historian Dr. Pratapaditya Pal first invited her to bring performance art to the Museum.  "We were the first dancers to step into that theater, for in their 25 year history they have never had a dance performance there.  We created two carefully thought out performances based on their Chola exhibit and Indian paintings.  Mrs. Simon herself attended our events and was thrilled," says Ramaa Bharadvaj.  The Angahara Dance Ensemble hopes to educate the patrons of the Museum once again with a swirl of color, vibrant rhythm and plenty of laughter in this family friendly performance.   

For info about the artists visit: www.ramaadance.org 

WHEN: Friday, November 14, 2008, 7pm  
WHERE: Norton Simon Museum, 411, W. Colorado Blvd , Pasadena , CA  
HOW MUCH: Museum Admission $8 
Free Parking 
CONTACT: 714 / 692 – 1695