On the large Joyce Theater stage (October 6-8), the very small Bharatanayam dancer and choreographer Aparna Ramaswamy is commanding in the premiere of The Rose At Dawn. Musicians (vocalists and percussionists) line one wall, while introduced by a poem each time, Ramaswamy enters center and traverses the stage to tell each story. In traditional costume, toes and fingers painted red and eyes encircled with dark makeup exaggerating her every movement and gesture, Ramaswamy and the musicians are one. They celebrate the ways and means of peoples in the ancient temples of southern India through this all-encompassing dance form complete with requisite elements. The musicians and the atmosphere compliment the beguiling Ramaswamy in each section: Om Kara Karini, Varnam and Two Scenes from the Mullai Tinai. At any moment, exaggerating her back in a deep curve and settling into bent knees, she shifts on and off balance, her eyes dart and her fingers gesture, while her elbows bend and her wrists drop just so. In one instance, between fast and then slower music, she descends to her knees, brings her palms to her heart, lowers her forehead to the floor and we follow the continually changing tableau until she gestures to end. Ramaswamy takes us on many beautiful journeys in a very short time. The musicians are: Preethy Mahesh (vocals), C.K. Vasudevan (Nattuvangam), Sakthivel Muruganantham (Mridangam), Sruthi Sagar (Flute) and Anjna Swaminathan (Violin).
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