Mythili Prakash

Mythili Prakash is an American dancer and choreographer whose primary discipline is Bharatanatyam, the classical dance tradition of South India. Born into a family deeply rooted in the arts, she began her journey at a young age under the guidance of her mother and guru, Viji Prakash. Recognized early as a child prodigy, she made her stage debut at the age of eight and soon began touring internationally. Alongside her mother’s training, she studied with several senior gurus from India and is presently under the mentorship of the acclaimed danseuse Malavika Sarukkai.

Mythili holds a degree in mass communication from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2004, she committed herself to Bharatanatyam as a full-time career. She divides her time between Los Angeles and Chennai and is a regular performer during the Madras Music Season. Her solo appearances include leading institutions such as The Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, Kalakshetra in Chennai, Shanmukhananda Sabha in Mumbai, India International Centre in Delhi, and Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bengaluru.

Internationally, Mythili has performed in the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Canada, Mexico, and across the United States, appearing at venues such as Sadler’s Wells in London, Jacob’s Pillow in the USA, Musée Guimet in Paris, and Esplanade Theatres on the Bay in Singapore. She has also performed with the Shakti Dance Company and appeared at major stages, including Lincoln Center, the Wortham Center in Houston, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre.

Her choreographic works have received wide acclaim. She is a recipient of the Creation to Performance Grant from the Irvine Dance Foundation, the Artistic Innovation Grant from the Center for Cultural Innovation, and the National Dance Project Touring Grant. Her productions, such as Stree Katha, Shakti—The Sacred Force, She’s Auspicious, HERE and NOW, AR|DHA, and One|All, have toured internationally. She was nominated by Akram Khan as a “Choreographer of the Future” and toured as a principal dancer with the Akram Khan Company in Outwitting the Devil.

Mythili also worked with filmmaker Ang Lee as a choreography assistant and appeared in Life of Pi as Pi’s wife. Her career reflects a balance between tradition and innovation, positioning her as a significant contemporary voice in Bharatanatyam on the global stage.