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.
MusicBharata Natyam is incomplete without Carnatic music - the South Indian classical form. Carnatic music is characterized by variations of raga (melody) and tala (rhythm). Mythili’s touring ensemble includes four virtuosic musicians who maintain a unique and diverse repertoire. Each composition has been created by revered poets whose works capture the depth and soulful combination of lyrics and melody. The technical sophistication and intellectual brilliance of these four musicians is unsurpassed.
Awards2009
Nadanamaamani or Jewel of Dance for "Outstanding contribution to Indian Classical Dance"
Kartick Fine Arts - Chennai,
2010 recipient of the Choreographers in Mentorship Exchange (CHIME) grant in Southern California.
The program seeks to formalize the exchange and feedback mechanisms between established and emerging California choreographers. Mythili will work with the highly acclaimed Artistic director of Jazz Tap Ensemble, the nationally-renowned Lynn Dally with the objective of making Bharata Natyam more accessible to main stream audiences in America.
Investing in Artists grant for Artistic Innovation for Mythili's new 2010-2011 touring work, "Shakti - the Sacred Force."
The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), Los Angeles, California
2008
Natya Kala Vipanchi or Master of Dance for "Outstanding propogation of Indian Classical Dance"Dr. M. Balamurlikrishna for Vipanchi
2007
Yuva Kala Bharathi AwardBharat Kalachar - Chennai, India
Vasanthalakshmi - Narasimhachari Award of Natyarangam
Nararada Gana Sabha - Chennai, India
Performance Grant for Stree Katha
James Irvine Foundation
Sanskriti Nitya Puraskar for "Outstanding Contribution to Dance at a Young Age"
Sanatan Sangeet Sanskriti - New Delhi, India
Chandrashekaran Endowment
The Music Academy - Chennai, India
2006
Rohini Krishnan Endowment AwardKrishna Gana Sabha - Chennai, India
Best Bharata Natyam Dancer (August)
ARTINDIA
2001
First Placement, National Advancement for the ArtsMiami, United States
2000
Spirit of Youth MGR Best Dancer AwardThe Music Academy - Chennai, India
1996
The Kohinoor Award for "Excellence in Classical Arts and Culture"Los Angeles, United States
1991
Performance at India's Rashtrapathi Bhavan in honor of the president of IndiaDelhi, India
