MYTHILI PRAKASH

EXPONENT OF BHARATA NATYAM

Mythili Prakash is recognized as one of the world’s leading young exponents of Bharata Natyam - the classical dance of South India. Her inventive approach to classicism revitalizes Bharata Natyam and awakens the physicality, musicality and expressive theatricality of the dance to create an exceptional style that is distinct and meaningful to audiences across the world. Mythili is magnetic on stage; her works are compelling in the sensitive and emotion-filled expressive dance and her command of the art form is evident whether you are an aficionado or new to Indian classical dance. In the elegant and sculpted chiseled lines of her dance, Mythili has perfected Bharata Natyam to a point where its geometrical exactitude is an irrepressible force of precision and dynamism. Illuminating the art form from within, Mythili uses traditional repertoire while extending the technique to create new structures connecting her extraordinarily rich and intense style with a sharp contemporary intellect.

Mythili has toured her work internationally throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. She began her training in the Thanjavur tradition of Bharata Natyam at the age of four under the tutelage of her mother, Smt. Viji Prakash - a virtuoso of this dance form and disciple of grand masters Guru Kalyanasundaram and Guru Mahalingam Pillai, directors of the Sri Raja Rajeshwari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir, Bombay, India.

Mythili's choreographic works:

Shakti - The Sacred Force
Mythili's newest full-evening length work explores the significance of Shakti or "sacred force" through the image of the Hindu goddess Meenakshi. Using dance, live music, poetry and iconography, Mythili illustrates the mystique and myths associated with the goddess taking audiences to the very womb of the shrine in the ancient temple of Madurai in South India where Meenakshi sits carved out of single emerald.

Stree Katha - The Three Heroines of the Ramayana
This stellar new work explores the undercurrent of social expectations and implications of the female through the stories of Keikeyi, Shurpanaka and Sita. Music by Debur Srivathsa. Premiered in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and India.

Yamuna
Yamuna traces the rich symbolic significance and history of this sacred river of India. Premiered at the prestigious 2008 Theertha Bharatham Festival of Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai, India.

Drishtya Kaavyam
Deeply rooted in the sacred, based on classical vocabulary, and infused with contemporary perspective, Mythili’s choreography “Dhrishtya Kaavyam” brings to life the various facets of Bharata Natyam, ranging from vibrant and explosive rhythmic dance passages to spectacular theatrical narratives based on Indian mythology, to spiritually uplifting and thought provoking images of beauty and love inspired by some of the most prolific poets in Indian history.