Dance spotlight: 'Ragamala Dance'

Friday-Sunday: Fresh off a world premiere at the Maximum India Festival at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center (and inspiring a glowing New York Times review), Ragamala Dance returns home to share its newest work, "Yathra." The troupe uses the Bharatanatyam movement form to tell the story of humanity's life journey, an experience that can be traced like the hours of the day -- from dawn to dusk. The music is composed and played live by Shubhendra Rao on sitar and Saskia Rao on Indian cello. Expect exquisite artistry and precise attention to detail from a local company that is quickly building an international reputation for excellence. A gala event precedes the Saturday performance; contact the O'Shaughnessy for details. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $29, $16 students/children/seniors. Ends Mar. 27. O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul. 651-690-6700 or ticketmaster.com, oshaughnessy.stkate.edu.)CAROLINE PALMER