The Amazing Mythili Prakash in Jwala (Rising Flame)

HOUSTON: A radiant star has risen on the dance firmament, brightening the world with her electrifying presence. She is US born Mythili Prakash, recognized as one of the world’s leading young exponents of Bharatanatyam. Her classical yet inventive approach revitalizes the physicality, musicality and expressive theatricality of the dance, to create an exceptional style that is distinct and meaningful to audiences across the world.

Hailed as a child prodigy, Mythili began her career as a Bharatanatyam performer at the age of 8 and has toured throughout the world, performing in prestigious venues and festivals. Mythili was trained by her mother, Bharatanatyam exponent Viji Prakash, and also had the opportunity to study with several legendary stalwarts from India. She is now under the mentorship of acclaimed dancer Malavika Sarukkai. A regular performer during the prestigious Madras Music Season, Mythili, recipient of numerous accolades and awards, (including NBC’s Superstars of Dance), has performed as a soloist for many respected institutions of dance in India including The Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, Kalakshetra (Chennai), Shanmukhananda Sabha (Mumbai), India International Centre (Delhi) and Chowdiah Memorial Hall (Bangalore). Critics describe her as “suave and contemporary… a happy blend of Western stagecraft and Indian aesthetics”.

Mythili’s brother Aditya Prakash is an equally brilliant artist, matching her superlative dancing skills with his amazing vocal talents. Aditya is a soloist in his own right, as a Carnatic musician, and also a leader of a fusion music band. This unmatched brother-sister duo will be seen in action in Mythili’s latest production, JWALA (Rising Flame), being presented by Samskriti on Sunday, August 28, 4 PM at MATCH Houston, 3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77004.

In Mythili’s own words – “JWALA explores an image that is central to both daily life and spiritual practice, not only in India but in all cultures. For me, a flame is strong, yet vulnerable, which contrasting quality gives rise to this work: the same flame that burns is that which illuminates. It’s about saying good-bye and looking ahead, about release and hope, about shedding and seeking. As a symbol the flame connects all worlds, cosmic and temporal, secular and spiritual. JWALA envisions the idea of “flame” through the language of Bharatanatyam, a form that is at once highly codified in its gestural language and structure, yet has tremendous scope for interpretation and creative liberty. The work is classical – and experimental. My challenge has been to find the dance technique to embody the various qualities of flame – from aggressive and destructive fire to the radiance and illumination of a candle, from the blazing sun that lights our universe to the inner flame that yearns for liberation. Thus this production is both incredibly personal and yet, I hope, universal”. Mythili and Aditya will be accompanied by an ensemble of talented musicians. Special lighting has been designed by Venkatesh from India.

“Her warmth and brightness as a performer suit the theme; those qualities surfaced as soon as the light came up on her slowly turning figure. Five musicians, including her brother, the vocalist Aditya Prakash, joined her onstage, and from the first moment, music and dance worked together in trance-inducing harmony” – Dance critic Siobhan Burke after witnessing JWALA in New York.

For ticket information and directions, visit www.matchouston.org or call (713) 521-4533 to buy online.

This program has been made possible by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.