Mythili enchants

LOS ANGELES: sounds of LA, an annual concert series produced by the J Paul Getty Museum celebrates the work of master artists as well as up and coming musicians. On February 13, 14, the Getty Museum presented the accomplished, exciting, innovative Bharata Natyam dancer Mythili Prakash and Company.

Mythili Prakash is a compelling Bharata Natyam dancer in the United States and in India. She draws on deep rooted traditions with all its beauty and complexity and takes a soul searching approach to ancient lyrics and style that successfully integrates melodies, rhythms, and movement to make it an exhilarating and moving experience.

Mythili has the gift of reaching out to a wide international audience whether she is performing an exquisite padam or dazzling footwork. She is quickly earning recognition as one of Bharata Natyam’s most important artists. There is an elegant stage presence, theatrical and expressive delineation of emotion as she creates a context with wide ranging possibilities in interpretation.

 Take Rithu Varna/Seasons of Love  which Mythili choreographed. She selected poetry by Harikesa Muthiah Bhagirathi (20th century) Palai Patiya Perunkatunko (Sangam poetry from 100 BC TO ad 200) and songs sung in Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Hindi - many splendored exploration of the moods of Bharata Natyam and compositions. Mythili took us on a metaphorical journey of dance and music to describe the varying emotions in relation to seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Mythili has a distinctive style and rare emotional depth showing new insights, subtly or otherwise, oftentimes pushing the boundaries of classical with an aching sensuality and intense energy. Trained by her mother the accomplished, renowned, dancer Viji Prakash, she has shaped her art over the years infusing youthful grace with the essence of spirituality and myriad classical traditions. Viji herself was brilliant in the nattuvangam, vocal recitation.

Mythili has a thorough knowledge of music. She says, “Musicians have to do more than provide accompaniment; for their collaboration to work, both parties must be on equal footing.” So the music was lushly layered and the ensemble brought great pleasure to the audience with their virtuosity, and individual strengths. Carnatic music is scientific, powerful and deeply spiritual and the group consisting of Roopa Mahadevan and Aditya Prakash (vocals) Pirashanna Thevaraja (mridangam) Krishna Kuttykumar (violin) and Ashwin Krishnakumar (bansuri) presented a vivid, collaborative performance  -Swaralahari (Cascades of Melody) a musical piece created for this concert. The ensemble drew on the nuances of varied raagas with improvisations, melody and rhythm to showcase the skills of the musicians and vocalists.

It was exhilarating to see young Aditya, Mythili’s brother sing with a remarkable finesse and versatility from a diverse repertoire. He has been studying vocals for thirteen years and presenting concerts since he was twelve. Working with the maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar he has  performed and toured all over  the US, Canada and Europe. He is also proficient on the mridangam  and is learning Hindustani vocals from Ustaad Shujaat Khan while studying ethnomusicology at the University of California.

Young Roopa Mahadevan (vocals) brought an unusual, energetic cadence to the program. She has performed in major venues in India and North America and is not only a Bharata dancer but performs R& B, Motown and pop music. She has collected a bachelor’s degree in biological science, and master’s degree in psychology from Stanford University.

Mridangam player Pirashanna Theravada, a brilliant percussionist  also has performed extensively across Europe, India, Canada and the United States.  It was a delight to see him perform. Ashwin Krishnakumar (bansuri) has given solo performances in India and the United States and gave excellent support to the ensemble.