Ravi/Contributed photoJayanthi Raman will present a live performance via Facebook Saturday, Sept. 25, in conjunction with Crossroads Carnegie Art Center.

By Lisa Britton

Go! Magazine

BAKER CITY — Jayanthi Raman aims to provide a chance to experience authentic Indian dances, and this weekend she’s doing just that, thanks to support by Crossroads Carnegie Art Center.

Raman, who has performed since she was 8, teaches dance classes at Jayanthi Raman Dance in Hillsboro. This Saturday, Sept. 25, she and her dancers will provide a live performance streamed through Crossroads’ Facebook page.

“I want to give people the experience of a very authentic concert,” she said.

A Facebook account is not necessary — simply go to www.facebook.com/bakerxrds. The show begins at 6 p.m. and lasts for one hour and 15 minutes. While viewers can log on at any time during the show, it will not be available afterward.

The performance is called “Navarasa Kalinga Nardana.”

“The story is simple, and passed down through generations,” Raman said.

She said the dance is accompanied by “all kinds of percussion.”

She gave a choreographer’s talk on Sept. 18, which is available on Crossroads’ Facebook page. She said that talk, in addition to the narration provided before each dance sequence, will help the audience understand the story.

A full range of emotions is woven into the plot — “there’s love, romance, courage, wonder and astonishment,” she said.

“During the pandemic we’ve gone through every emotion imaginable,” Raman said. “Our final thing is to get to the peaceful point.”

She’d hoped to go on tour this year, but those plans were thwarted by the pandemic. So they moved to an online format.

“We’re really excited. It’s something different,” said Ginger Savage, Crossroads executive director. “We really, really wanted them to be able to come.”

Those who have questions about accessing the performance can email ginger@crossroads-arts.org.

History

Although this performance is presented virtually, it’s not the first time Raman has brought Indian dance to Baker City. In 2018, she toured a show titled “Duality: An Immigration Experience” across rural Oregon thanks to a Creative Heights grant from the Oregon Community Foundation.

Raman belongs to the Oregon Folklife Network and is described as a “practitioner, teacher, and choreographer of Bharatha Natyam, a style of classical Indian Dance.”

Presented by Jayanthi Raman Dance Company

6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25

Live on Facebook

www.facebook.com/bakerxrds