As its first presentation of 2026, the Marie Rader Series will present “Ragamala Dance Company: Sacred Earth” on January 31 at Pfleeger Concert Hall in Glassboro, New Jersey.

Performed with live music, Ragamala’s Bharatanatyam dancers create a sacred space that honors the divinity of the natural world. Inspired by the ephemeral arts of kolam rice flour ritual, indigenous Warli painting, and the Tamil Sangam literature of India, Sacred Earth reflects the singular vision of co-artistic directors Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy. The work explores the beautiful yet fragile relationship between nature and humanity, according to the organizers.

“Surrounding the public performance Ragamala Dance Company will offer a free virtual pre-performance lunch & learn as well as an in-person post-show artist chat,” organizers said. “The Carnatic music ensemble featured in the performance will also offer a lecture-demonstration to Rowan music students, as well as instrument-specific introductory workshops to the complex, foundational vocabulary of this traditional South Indian style of music.”

Choreographers Ranee and Ramaswamy worked closely with composer Prema Ramamurthy and the Carnatic ensemble to develop the musical score for Sacred Earth. Together, they shaped melodic modes, microtonal variations, and complex rhythms to align with the choreography’s emotional tenor. Since its premiere in 2011, the work has continued to evolve alongside live music, deepening its spontaneity and resonance.

The January performance marks the culmination of a year-long engagement that began in October 2025, when dancers Jothika Gorur and Sri Guntipally appeared as featured guest artists at the 4th Annual Rowan Dance Festival. During that visit, they led a lecture-demonstration for 60 local high school dancers and performed a short work alongside area dance studios and current Rowan students.

Marie Rader Series Artistic Director Debbie Shapiro said, “Ragamala Dance Company is hailed as a standard-bearer driven by their singular lineage of this ancient art form as well as their vision for its contemporary resonance throughout the United States. This presentation is an invitation to join together in learning from these artists, while also celebrating the diversity and beauty of South Jersey’s own Indian community.”

Organizers noted that tickets are priced at $35, with eligible discounts available.

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