Ramaavan A Musical
Indo-American Arts Council and Surati
present
Rimli Roy's
Ramaavan A Musical
Jerey City, NJ - October 20- October 22, 2023
New York City, NY - October 25 - October 29, 2023
Catch the highlights - Press Conference
About Ramaavan - A Musical:
Ramaavan tells the story of one of the greatest epic tales from India The Ramayana, while also unfolding the significance of the story of Diwali - The Festival of Lights originating in India. Ramaavan is a groundbreaking musical, written in English verse, that brings the ancient Indian epic and literary masterpiece, The Ramayana, to life, in a mesmerizing blend of traditional music, theater, and dance (Indian classical, folk, opera, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, ethnic). The musical, rooted in Indian mythology, features diverse artists and genres from around the world across boundaries of race, gender, and social biases making it one of the most culturally significant and socially relevant works of today. The show promotes diversity, inclusivity, and artistic expression, tells the story of Diwali, and is an enriching and educational experience for all audiences.
About Surati for Performing Arts and Mission:
Surati for Performing Arts’ mission is to create and present performing arts and cultural experiences that globalize themes rooted in Indian culture, that convey the universal message of equality, inclusion, and unity in diversity, through staged productions, arts-in-education, cultural festivals, educational and interactive workshops. Surati strives for artistic excellence and works with quality artists, administrators, and technicians who are culturally and ethnically diverse, including Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans as well as individuals with learning and physical disabilities. Surati brings its programming to the under-served communities including senior citizens and low-income communities. Representation consists of people from diverse socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Through our programming, we try to educate communities about the history and evolution of Indian Performing Arts, while entertaining through classical dance music & theatre.
About Author
Ajay Singh is a journalist with thirty-five years of experience, having worked in various capacities - from reporter to bureau chief, political editor, editor and editorial director - with some of the top news organizations, including the Times of India, the Economic Times, the Telegraph, the Pioneer, STAR TV, Sahara TV, NewsX, Governance Now and Firstpost.
He has led two projects of immersive reporting that were supported by the London School of Economics and by the ANSA-SAR, a World Bank Institute-funded network. Working at the grassroots level in Lucknow and Patna, he was able to acquaint himself with the ground realities of the Hindi heartland and its political processes. Formal interactions, as well as informal discussions with some of the top leaders and administrators who have shaped modern India, have enriched his perspective on politics. He has closely followed the evolution and rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party from close quarters, having been present during many crucial moments in the party's recent history. Currently, he is the press secretary to the President of India.
Moderated by
Mr. Vikram J. Singh Vikram J. Singh is senior advisor to the Asia Program at USIP. Singh has been a leader of innovation in public policy and global affairs at the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and major non-profits. He advises USIP on all aspects of peace and stability in Asia including Afghanistan and Pakistan, Myanmar, China’s role in the region, and North Korea.
From 2014 to 2017 Singh was vice president for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, where he established CAP’s Asia program and launched work on nuclear security, a major task force on U.S – India relations, and a program on defending the internet as a force for democracy.
As deputy assistant secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia from 2012 to 2014, Singh ran negotiations to deepen U.S. defense cooperation in the region including through new access agreements with Australia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Singh was Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Department of State until 2011. He developed a political-military strategy for reconciliation efforts to end the war. He represented the United States with China, India, Russia, Middle Eastern partners, the U.N., and NATO members on political, military and economic issues related to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Singh was the first defense fellow at the Center for a New American Security in 2007. He was previously the Pentagon’s first director for partnership strategy, developing and securing passage by Congress of new legal authorities for global defense cooperation. As a Presidential Management Fellow, Singh also served at U.S. Mission to the United Nations and chaired the DoD missile technology working group for the “Next Steps in the Strategic Partnership” with India.
Singh received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service in 2012 and the Department of State Superior Honor Award in 2006 and 2012. He is a Fellow of Columbia University and a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Yash Arora
2013601553
info@suratifpa.org
Ramaavan – A Musical
returns to New York City and Jersey City
After a successful NYC debut last year, the pathbreaking musical based on the Indian epic Ramayana makes a comeback this October.
- Oct 20-22: Jersey City
Margaret Williams Theatre, NJCU, Jersey City, NJ - Oct 25-29: New York City
Cullum Theatre, American Theatre for Actors, NYC, NY
New York, NY - October 9, 2023 – Ramaavan - A Musical is an innovative musical theater and dance experience adapted from the celebrated ancient Indian epic the Ramayana, that has been loved and revered for centuries. The evolving musical, written in English verse, 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.
Founder and Artistic Director of Surati, Rimli Roy says, “I always wanted to bring a uniquely international sensibility to the epic of Ramayana. Finding talent that represented a diverse oeuvre of artistic talent that met my expectations was one of the biggest challenges. All actors are trained dancers and singers who perform live in this show.”
"We are thrilled to present Rimli Roy's Ramaavan – A Musical, a remarkable interpretation of the timeless Indian epic, the Ramayana. Surati's production brings a unique universality to this ancient classic, showcasing a diverse cast, a rich representation of performing art forms, and a profound message of peace and love. Roy's interpretation of Ramaavan harmoniously aligns with the goals and ideals of IAAC.”, said Rajeev Kaul, Senior Board Member, Indo-American Arts Council.
Performers of different races and ethnicities from different backgrounds are cast and accorded the liberties to explore each character through the lens of their own learnings and beliefs. The families shown are multi-racial, the costumes and props are introduced from various sources, and the artisans creating them come from equally wide-ranging societies. The music and dance blend different styles seamlessly to offer an unforgettable experience to the audience. The multi-hued spectacle ranges from ragas of Indian classical music to Hip-Hop, Opera and Jazz; from Bharatanatyam, Odissi and Kathak classical Indian dance to Ballet and Flamenco.
It is worth noting that the actors come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities, and have traveled from all over the US and India as well. While some of them are familiar with the story of Ramayana and how it is linked to the story of Diwali, many of them heard about it for the first time.
Details and Tickets at: www.suratifpa.org/ramaavan
For photos and press materials Click HERE
About Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC):
The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the U.S. to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. For information, please visit www.iaac.us.
Media Contact:
Yash Arora
2013601553
info@suratifpa.org
