Internationally acclaimed bharatanatyam artist Mythili Prakash returns to Esplanade with a rare all-female ensemble, presenting a striking new work that questions the contradictions and dichotomies of how women are viewed in society.
She’s Auspicious is a dance and music work rooted in bharatanatyam. Bold and evocative, the work blurs the lines between Goddess and Woman to explore the intricate interplay between the worship of goddesses and the treatment of women in society. The presentation of this paradox allows the unravelling of socio-cultural myths, stories and values that are beautiful and personal, yet simultaneously deeply rooted in systemic power structures.
This work is conceptualised, choreographed and performed by Mythili Prakash, who has emerged at the forefront amongst a new generation of classical Indian dancers. She has been mentored by the iconic Malavika Sarukkai and the esteemed Akram Khan, whose dance company she has been performing with since 2019. She’s Auspicious first premiered in 2021 at the Reflektor Festival in Hamburg, Germany, and underwent further development in 2022 at Pillow’s Lab at the historic Jacob’s Pillow dance centre, and in 2024 at University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
“As the dancer, I inhabit the character of the Goddess Devi, who is created by male Gods, generated with their energy and weapons, and programmed to kill an army of demons. In doing this, I seek to embody and linger in psychological states that challenge the ideals of “restraint” that characterize femininity in both classical dance and in society; this mythical narrative becomes a mirror to our present-day reality, connected to questions of power and agency, reflecting my own lived and observed experiences as a woman.” – Mythili Prakash
The making of She's Auspicious has been supported by the National Dance Project grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts.
Choreography/Dance: Mythili Prakash
Sound Design: Aditya Prakash, Mythili Prakash, Sushma Soma
Music Production: Aditya Prakash
Set Design: Mythili Prakash, Kaavya Matatova, Zak Macro, Lars Davidson
Vocal: Subiksha Rangarajan
Percussion: Aswini Srinivasan
Vocal and Veena: Ananya Ashok
Sound: M T Aditya
Lighting Design: Aideen Malone, Jen Cashman
Mentor: Akram Khan
Theatrical Inputs: Janet Roston
Rehearsal Director: Jyotsna Jagannathan
Project Manager: Jahnavi Kalyan
Dancers: Nikita Rao, Jessica Sitaramya, Malini Taneja, Jahnavi Kalyan
Artists on Recording: Sushma Soma (vocal), Aditya Prakash (vocal and percussion), Sumesh Narayanan (mridangam)
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