The Ragamala Dance Company's recent performance of "Children of Dharma" at Northrop was a mesmerizing display of the power of design in live performances. The bharatanatyam dance piece, which drew inspiration from the ancient Hindu epic "The Mahabharata," was brought to life through the exceptional lighting and scenic design of Willy Cessa.

Elevating the Mythic Narrative with Innovative Visuals

A Deceptively Simple Set Design

Cessa's set design, while seemingly simple, was a masterful work of art. Hanging from the ceiling were giant rectangular strips, subtly irregular in shape, which served as the backdrop for the performance. In the opening scene, these strips appeared in shades of white, black, and gray, evoking a serene forest setting as the character of Krishna (with voiceover narration by Leon Conrad) was introduced.As the performance progressed, the backdrops transformed, with images of gods, ancient sculptures found on temple towers, and characters from the stories projected onto the staggered drops, creating a captivating three-dimensional effect. The strategic placement of the drops allowed the projections to appear to emerge from the depths of the stage, adding a sense of depth and dimension to the visual landscape.

Lighting as Sculptural Elements

The lighting design was equally impressive, with Cessa's use of specials creating almost sculptural effects. A particularly striking example was a bright square of light on the floor, which became a focal point and added a sense of drama and intensity to the performance.

Embodying the Mythic Protagonist

At the heart of the performance was the mesmerizing presence of Garrett Sour as the character of Krishna. From the moment he danced alone onstage, accompanied by a recorded throat singing, Sour emanated a bewitching aura that captivated the audience. His slow, precise movements and focused presence conveyed the depth and complexity of the mythic protagonist.

Weaving Narrative and Lessons

As the narrator of the stories, Krishna's text often contained lessons and commentary on the cyclical nature of life and death, as well as his own judgments of the other characters. This heightened text added an additional layer of depth and meaning to the performance, inviting the audience to engage with the profound themes and ideas at the heart of the ancient epic.

A Collaborative Artistic Vision

The performance of "Children of Dharma" was the result of a collaborative effort between Ranee Ramaswamy and her daughters, Aparna and Ashwini, who co-created, co-choreographed, and co-directed the work. Each of the three dancers took on solo roles, showcasing their individual artistry and the electric connection between the sisters in a duet that played off each other like a call and response.The live score, composed by Ranee, percussionist S. Sakthivel Muruganantham, and Prema Ramamurthy, added an additional layer of depth and richness to the performance, seamlessly blending with the recorded throat singing that opened the show.