Aparna Ramaswamay / Photo by Bruce Bisping

By Rohan Preston

The year is new, and so is the notice for dancer Aparna Ramaswamy.

The co-director of Ragamala Dance has been named by Dance Magazine as one of its "25 to watch." The Twin Cities-based mover and choreographer keeps company on the list with dancers from the Bolshoi, Martha Graham and the New York City Ballet.

"Ramaswamy infuses the formal rigor of Bharatanatyam with fluid spontaneity and rock star allure," the magazine said.

Ragamala performs locallly and nationally. The company will begin the year with a West Coast swing, performing next week in Sun Valley, Idaho, Eugene, Ore., and Portland, Ore. Ragamala will also be featured in "The Iron Ring" at the Children's Theatre (March 9-April 10) as well as at other local and national venues.

For more information, go to www.ragamala.net.