Mythili Prakash and Musical Ensemble
Full-length Productions
Shakti - The Sacred Force (now booking 2010/2011)
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.
Repertoire Highlights
Surya
Surya pays obeisance to the fire energy and resplendence of the Sun God, who rides across the sky in his seven-horse chariot radiating brilliance into the morning sky. Surya has toured the globe and been featured in choreographic festivals receiving much critical acclaim.
Prithika
Based on a love poem of Poet Rumi, Prithika excerpts three pieces to extol the beauty of love, mortal and divine. Premiered at the 2008 World Festival of Sacred Music, Los Angeles.
Ensemble
Mythili Prakash and Dance of India Ensemble
Full-length Productions
Drishtya Kaavyam (now booking for 2009)
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.
“Dhrishtya Kaavyam” takes the viewer on a colorful and enthralling, yet deeply harmonized and soulful journey through the medium of dance and music, reinstating the power and depth of a traditional art that still holds so much relevance today.
Repertoire Highlights
Current
Current explores rhythm and movement, as well as the dynamics of rhythm in movement. This piece is inspired by the concept of kinetic energy, whether an electrical current racing toward its moment of release, or the currents in stream of water, rushing forcefully and sinuously gliding toward the calm of the ocean. Premiered in Los Angeles and presented at the 2007 International Dance Alliance (IDA) Festival in Chennai, India.
Mahadeva
Mahadeva illustrates the masculine energy, grace and symbolic dualities of Lord Shiva, the God of Dance. Inspired by the music of Anoushka Shankarer (daughter of Sitar maestro Ravi Shanker) from her album, Rise.
Surya Kanti Nalini - The Blossoming Lotus
Inspired by the lotus flower (nalini) which blossoms in response to the rays (kanti) of the sun (surya), this piece explores the abstract movement aspect of Bharata Natyam-Nritta.
Ohm Namah Shivaya
Premieried at the prestigious San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and presented at the Anantham Festival at Zellarbach, Berkeley and at the Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
