Aditya Prakash
Created by Aditya Prakash and co-written and directed by dancer/choreographer Mythili Prakash, ROOM-i-Nation weaves together the threads of Karnatik classical music with the history of Asian immigration and stories of identity and belonging to offer a nuanced take on navigating two worlds.
ROOM-i-Nation brings to life Aditya’s 2023 album ISOLASHUN (New Amsterdam Records), using live music, a soundscape, an Akram Khan dance film made specifically for the project, video projection, and personal stories to illuminate the immigrant and diasporic experience and offer a hopeful look at bridging cultures, generations, and musical traditions. ROOM-i-Nation invites us all to reflect on our stories of belonging and authenticity.
The project draws from Aditya's experiences growing up in Los Angeles, training in India, performing from a young age, and his deep engagement with Karnatik music and contemporary sounds. His narrative is one of discovery, challenging traditional boundaries while embracing a complex identity. It's an acknowledgment of the richness that comes from embracing our multifaceted selves and the art that emerges from this acceptance.
Aditya Prakash, an award-winning singer and composer known for his powerful and expressive voice, is one of the foremost young practitioners of Karnatik music. His performances in the United States, India, and more than 15 countries are recognized for his innovative approach to composition, production, and performance.
At sixteen, Aditya became one of the youngest musicians ever to tour and perform with sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, accompanying him to such prestigious stages as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Disney Concert Hall.
Aditya has collaborated with a diverse range of innovative artists, including sitarist Anoushka Shankar, Jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan, electronic experimental artist Karsh Kale, and the acclaimed dancer and choreographer Akram Khan.
Aditya founded the eclectic music group Aditya Prakash Ensemble, which creates a space for dialogue between Karnatik and jazz. The Ensemble’s 2020 album, “Diaspora Kid,” garnered praise from Songlines and KCRW and was featured in the top 15 albums on the Transglobal World Music Chart in May 2020. In 2021, Aditya Prakash Ensemble performed in an NPR Tiny Desk concert curated by the acclaimed GlobalFest festival.
Aditya is mentored by two prolific Karnatik artists: musician, activist, author T.M. Krishna, and musician and scholar R.K. Shriramkumar. Aditya received his B.A. in Arts from UCLA’s prestigious Ethnomusicology program.
Aditya’s current focus in composition is pushing boundaries within the “classical” tradition. In ISOLASHUN, Aditya explores the weight of privilege and the boundaries of tradition in an entirely new creative form. Currently, Aditya is composing the music for three evening-length dance productions by the internationally renowned English choreographer Akram Khan. Audiences will hear Aditya’s music in the Academy Award-winning director Aneil Karia’s forthcoming feature film, Hamlet, starring Riz Ahmed.
ROOM-i-Nation is directed by celebrated Bharatnatyam dancer and choreographer Mythili Prakash.
The ROOM-i-Nation Creation Team
Aditya Prakash, Composer, Writer, and Performer
Mythili Prakash, Director, Writer and Dramaturg
Seah Johnson, Lighting and Stage Design
Julian Le, Sound Design and Engineer
Yeast Culture, Video projection design, and animation
INSIRGENTS film: Choreographed and directed by Akram Khan, edited and co-directed by Maxime Dos Tim Wilson, Creative Producer
The ROOM-i-Nation India Team:
Aditya Prakash (Performer)
Mythili Prakash (Director)
Abhinav Patankar (Sound engineer)
Deepa D. (LX Operator)
Max Sharp (Associate Lighting Designer)
Aishwarya Natarajan (Manager, India)
Abhijit Nath
All ages
English
All ages
English
Aditya Prakash, an award-winning singer and composer known for his powerful and expressive voice, is one of the foremost young practitioners of Karnatik music. His performances in the United States, India, and more than 15 countries are recognized for his innovative approach to composition, production, and performance.
At sixteen, Aditya became one of the youngest musicians ever to tour and perform with sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, accompanying him to such prestigious stages as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Disney Concert Hall.
Aditya has collaborated with a diverse range of innovative artists, including sitarist Anoushka Shankar, Jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan, electronic experimental artist Karsh Kale, and the acclaimed dancer and choreographer Akram Khan.
Aditya founded the eclectic music group Aditya Prakash Ensemble, which creates a space for dialogue between Karnatik and jazz. The Ensemble’s 2020 album, “Diaspora Kid,” garnered praise from Songlines and KCRW and was featured in the top 15 albums on the Transglobal World Music Chart in May 2020. In 2021, Aditya Prakash Ensemble performed in an NPR Tiny Desk concert curated by the acclaimed GlobalFest festival.
Aditya is mentored by two prolific Karnatik artists: musician, activist, author T.M. Krishna, and musician and scholar R.K. Shriramkumar. Aditya received his B.A. in Arts from UCLA’s prestigious Ethnomusicology program.
Aditya’s current focus in composition is pushing boundaries within the “classical” tradition. In ISOLASHUN, Aditya explores the weight of privilege and the boundaries of tradition in an entirely new creative form. Currently, Aditya is composing the music for three evening-length dance productions by the internationally renowned English choreographer Akram Khan. Audiences will hear Aditya’s music in the Academy Award-winning director Aneil Karia’s forthcoming feature film, Hamlet, starring Riz Ahmed.
ROOM-i-Nation is directed by celebrated Bharatnatyam dancer and choreographer Mythili Prakash.
The ROOM-i-Nation Creation Team
Aditya Prakash, Composer, Writer, and Performer
Mythili Prakash, Director, Writer and Dramaturg
Seah Johnson, Lighting and Stage Design
Julian Le, Sound Design and Engineer
Yeast Culture, Video projection design, and animation
INSIRGENTS film: Choreographed and directed by Akram Khan, edited and co-directed by Maxime Dos Tim Wilson, Creative Producer
The ROOM-i-Nation India Team:
Aditya Prakash (Performer)
Mythili Prakash (Director)
Abhinav Patankar (Sound engineer)
Deepa D. (LX Operator)
Max Sharp (Associate Lighting Designer)
Aishwarya Natarajan (Manager, India)
Abhijit Nath