Photo Credit: Jonathan Potter
Photo Credit: Michel Cavalca

She’s Auspicious

Mythili Prakash’s new work in creation “She’s Auspicious” moves forward as one of NEFA’s 40 National Dance Project Finalists. She’s Auspicious examines notions of “femininity” through the paradox of the Hindu Goddess who is worshipped as powerful and auspicious, in contrast to the Woman who is objectified and marginalized in society. This solo Bharata Natyam work probes at popular narratives surrounding the Goddess as well as performative constructs of the dance form, which center around a particular aesthetic of beauty and refinement.

“She’s Auspicious” premieres at the Reflektor Festival curated by Sitar artist Anoushka Shankar at the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg on November 6, 2021.

We are excited to be celebrating Dance Umbrella’s 40th anniversary in 2018 by launching Four by Four, a campaign to build a new commissions fund for the next generation of talent.

We are proud to announce the artists selected for Four by Four:
Georgia Vardarou – nominated by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker
Abby Zbikowski – nominated by Stephen Petronio
Mythili Prakash – nominated by Akram Khan
Jon Maya Sein – nominated by Rocío Molina

About Mythili Prakash

Dynamic young artist Mythili Prakash is making waves in the field of Bharata Natyam worldwide. Born and raised in the US, she grew up in an environment filled with dance and music, under the watchful eye of her mother and teacher dance exponent Viji Prakash. Mythili began her performing career with her solo debut in India at the age of eight and has since performed extensively in prestigious venues and festivals throughout the world. She has studied with several legendary stalwarts from India and is now under the mentorship of India’s acclaimed master Malavika Sarukkai.

Photo Credit: Teresa Elwes

…watching the Bharatanatyam dancer Mythili Prakash on Saturday at Symphony Space, I had the luxurious experience of losing track of time, of forgetting about the future. What causes this rare phenomenon? Is it the dancer’s immersion in her own present moment, so strong as to pull us in?

The New York Times, 2016

Photo Credit: Jonathan Potter

CHOREOGRAPHY

For Mythili, choreography is a form of self-expression and introspection. Her works range from pieces of the traditional repertoire, to unique choreographies that break away from traditional structures. Her creative process unravels, investigates, re-energizes, and re-invests accepted ideas, while maintaining classical integrity. The resulting exploration centers around image, metaphor, and symbolism…