BALAM Dance Theatre: The Triumph of Dharma

BALAM Dance Theatre to Debut at International Dharma Conference

Don't miss BALAM Dance Theatre's debut at the Global Dharma Conference (GDC) in Hindu Students Council Presents Sounds of Harmony on Saturday, September 12. The classical concert will be performed at the NJ Convention & Exposition Center, located at 97 Sunfield Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. The doors open at 8:00 p.m.

Hanuman Credit: Neil Sapienza

BALAM will premiere this scintillating new piece, The Triumph of Dharma, a Balinese modern fusion dance inspired by the Hindu epic, Ramayana. At the request of presenter Hindu Students Council (HSC), BALAM created the expanded new piece especially for this international event. The performance features ten dancers wearing vibrant, colorful costumes and masks from BALAM Dance Theatre's extensive inventory and collaborator Coyote Dancers.

"This project has allowed BALAM to explore the profound concept of Dharma. One of its meanings introduces the immutability of right thinking in an environment of chaotic polarity. Creating a dance drama that reflects the underlying unity at the heart of these contrasting qualities has been an inspiration for the company," said Carlos Fittante, artistic director of BALAM Dance Theatre.

International Line-Up

The dancers performing in this new piece represent different cultural backgrounds. BALAM Resident Balinese Artist Nani Devi,

Photo Credit: Julie Lemberger

a celebrated performer from Bali who has toured and taught throughout the world, performs an excerpt of traditional Balinese dance to Gong Kebyar gamelan music and also appears as Trijata, Sita's friend and confidant. Dancer and Japanese Noh Theatre actor Toshinori Hamada takes to the stage as the evil demon king Rahwana.

Fittante performs the role of Prince Rama. He has studied extensively Balinese dance and toured several times in Bali. Principal ballerina Robin Gilbert dances the role of Sita, Rama's wife, one she is performed many times.

The multi-talented Fittante, a Baroque dance specialist and co-choreographer with the prestigious Boston Early Music Festival, created the choreography for this new piece. Hamada and Coyote Dancers' Maher Benham co-created the choreography for the fight scene.

Featured special guest artist Boonyarith Pankamdech from Coyote Dancers joins BALAM’s talented team. Originally from Thailand, Pankamdech debuts with BALAM as the playful, fun Hanuman the Monkey King. Five modern dancers from Coyote Dancer also perform in this new production.

Global Conference

Three thousand people from over 20 countries are expected to attend the three-day international conference that begins on Friday, September 11 and continues through Sunday, September 13. The three day event attended by students, youth and others from over 20 countries and more than 50 universities and colleges. The unique blend of thought provoking sessions and discussions on Hindu tradition and practices, blissful Yoga and meditation workshops, fun-filled dances, thrilling performances and other activities.

In addition to BALAM Dance Theatre, the concert presents these diverse classical musicians and performers: flute virtuoso Rakesh Chaurasia, mandolin virtuoso U Rajesh, Ghatam (Indian clay pot) Virtuoso Giridhar Udupa, composer and percussionist Rajeev Mahavir, Rachna Sarang Academy of Performing Arts, and Ashwin “AKS” Subramanian.

Tickets, ranging from $25 to $125, to attend the concert may be purchased online or call 732-857-0581 or 732-322-3895. For more information about the concert and the conference, visit the conference's web site.

About BALAM

BALAM has performed throughout the United States and internationally at renowned venues such as: Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, American Museum of Natural History, and the Bali International Arts Festival. Its work has received acclaim from audiences, critics, scholars, and dignitaries alike, including critical praise mentioned in the New York Times, Village Voice, and endorsements from the Indonesian Consulate of New York, and the Governor of Bali.

The company's long standing interest in dance research, along with its extensive collection of Balinese masks, and cutural costumes and props, make it a resource for educators, artists, and scholars.

The Deeper Meaning of the "Ramayana"

By Shelley Lynne Cummins, www.jaisriyogis.com/

Shelley Lynne Cummins is a yoga and Oneness Blessing trainer, as well as a dancer.

The first two limbs in the eight fold path of yoga are the Yamas, Awareness of the obstacles in life, and Niyamas, cultivating practices to remove the obstacles. As these limbs are activated in harmony, a balance or zero point arrives allowing causality to permeate. The classic tale of the Ramayana is a perfect depiction of this inner balance Of polarities producing unity.

As a dancer and yogini, I have had the great opportunity to study and dance the Ramayana for many years. Every time I enter into this great epic, new realizations are found. It is likened to the dance of day, going to sleep and awaking again in the morning for a new play. Amidst the routines of life subtle realizations appear as the mystery of unity Dances around in the unseen worlds.

A yogini's reflection of this great great tale.

The Ramayana is the story of the divine marriage within. It is everyone's story with all the players aspects of their self. The story begins with a happy and harmonious marriage of Sita and Rama. Sita symbolizes the balanced female and Rama the balanced male within each individual.

One day Sita is enticed by a golden deer into the cave of the evil demon, Rawana.

The capture of Sita is a metaphor of the ego consciousness trying to gain control over the potential of all. The golden deer represents the possible deception and false allure of the illusion of this physical plane.

Upon hearing the news of Sita's capture, Rama gives his golden ring to Hanuman the Monkey King. He orders Hanuman to deliver the ring to Sita so she will know help is on the way.

Here Rama embodies his higher masculine qualities of protection of the unseen and the absolute creation which lives in his word.

The ring symbolizes the circle of light around the body, known as the merkabah or golden carriage of light.

Hanuman the Monkey King represents our monkey mind constantly chattering. As our mind unites with the purpose of reinstalling causality, it becomes a servant of the heart. In service Hanuman flies across the ocean to deliver the ring to Sita. He is able to tap into the One Heart Mind And use his merkabah to transport himself where needed.

Hanuman delivers the ring to Sita and upon his return tells Rama of her whereabouts. Rama goes to fight the evil demon, Rawana, for the release of Sita.

Rama is fighting the ultimate battle of light and dark in order to regain the feminine intuitive, All knowing, nurturing life force. The light always wins as it illuminates the dark corners and shadows. Rama reunites with Sita and together they live happily ever after in the diversity and play of unity.

And to think we know the whole story, the entire ring in the circle of life.We boldly go on experiencing each section of the ring.

As Joseph Campbell says: We are each a heroine or hero on a great journey.We begin enlightened creating a life of experiences in order to realize and reunite with our all encompassing light.