Ancient Indian board game inspires Ragamala Dance Company's 'Written in Water'

Ever play Chutes and Ladders as a kid? You probably didn't know the board game has roots in ancient India. Originally called Paramapadam, this Hindu game of morality was brought to England in the 19th century and renamed Snakes and Ladders. Ragamala Dance Company marries the game's 2nd-century version with 12th-century Sufi poetry in a new show called "Written in Water." An exploration of people's search for truth — and their desperate attempts to avoid human failings — the show unfolds amid a giant game of Paramapadam and large-scale art projections. Also featured is an original commissioned score by Iraqi-American jazz artist Amir ElSaffar. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., 528 Hennepin Av. S., $29, the Cowles Center, 612-206-3600, thecowlescenter.org.)

Sheila Regan