JULY 24, 2012: President Barack Obama has announced his plans to nominate Ragamala Dance Artistic Director, Ranee Ramaswamy, to the National Council on the Arts.  President Obama said, "These dedicated and accomplished individuals will be valued additions to my Administration as we tackle the important challenges facing America. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead."  Ranee will be an important new voice within the Council, drawing upon over 30 years of experience as an artist of East Indian origins working within the American contemporary dance landscape. 

This prestigious appointment caps an extraordinary year for Ragamala Dance in which company members received a number of awards, including the 2011 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award for Ranee Ramaswamy.  The artistic pair of Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy were awarded a McKnight Foundation Choreographic Fellowship and the Minneapolis Star Tribune "Artist of the Year" designation.  Finally, company member Ashwini Ramaswamy received a McKnight Foundation Dancer Fellowship.

Photo Credit Tom Wallace