Ramaavan – A Musical, an innovative dance and musical theater experience adapted from the celebrated ancient Indian epic the Ramayana, will be back to New York City’s Cullum Theatre, American Theatre of Actors from Nov 7-10, 2024.
“The evolving musical has enthralled audiences of a variety of backgrounds and tastes. They have called Roy’s interpretation of the ancient epic bold, innovative and universal in appeal. The treatment crosses boundaries of race, bias and preconceived societal notions as well as of traditional genres of dance and music in retelling one of India’s greatest epics,” noted a press statement.
Recently, Surati for Performing Arts received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for Ramaavan. Founder and Artistic Director of Surati, Rimli Roy said, “It is the first time a South Asian Musical Theatre production has received the prestigious NEA funding.”
“Surati’s interpretation of the great Indian epic Ramayana embodies a universality never before seen in other interpretations of the ancient classic. In its diverse cast, inclusion of a wide range of performing art forms, and the message of peace and love inherent within, Surati’s Ramaavan has already found success in India and will be returning for more shows in 2025,” added the statement.
Performers from various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to each character. The production features multi-racial family depictions, with costumes and props sourced from a variety of cultures.
This vibrant musical blends Indian ragas with Hip-Hop, Opera, Jazz, and dance forms ranging from Bharatanatyam and Kathak to Ballet and Flamenco. Actors from across the U.S. and India, many encountering the Ramayana for the first time, come together to deliver a unique, cross-cultural performance.
