Jwala (Rising Flame)

Fire has destroyed our homes and our lives in unimaginable ways; and yet, in every moment of hope or prayer, we light a candle. 

We rise and rest in movement around the most undeniable thing in the world - the Sun; And yet, what prompts every moment forward in life, is the Flame burning unseen within us.

Created in in the wake of personal loss, Jwala explores fire as a symbol of loss, hope, life and death. As destructive as it is vulnerable and illuminating, the flame embodies the contradictions and complexity of humanity. Alongside the instinct to embody the rage, violence, marginalization and hypocrisy of our extremely divisive world, sits the desire to reconnect with the things that unite humanity.

Prakash's practice focuses on the creation of work that reflects and challenges contradictions in social values through mythology and cultural practices, particularly those centering around femininity. Using the language and aesthetics of Bharatanatyam (classical Indian Dance), rooted in beauty, harmony, and upliftment, has required a re-imagining and re-framing of form and performance.

In Jwala, Prakash addresses a personal story with the awareness that love, loss, release, and hope reach beyond the bounds of cultural narrative and need no translation.

Mythili Prakash - Dance

Susha Rangarajan- Vocal
Ashwath Narayanan - Vocal
Sumesh Narayanan - Mridangam, Vocal
Sayee Rakshith - Violin, Vocal

Audience First Night Reviews 
An amazing narrative in dance of the grief of losing a father and having a child. The musicians and dancing were of the highest quality, and conveyed the vast range of emotions as life dramatically changes. Highly recommended.

Breathtaking. What a gift to be able to experience.

An hour of mesmerising music and dance. A rare chance to see a story told in the beauty of movement and dance.
Illuminating dance with music and mime that tells a story of death, birth and joy.

Stunning, magic, incredible.

Superb dancing and mesmerising musicianship. The event suited the venue really well, providing an intimate space in which every note could be heard and every subtle movement could be seen. Mythili Prakash is an extraordinarily expressive dancer.