Mardini
Short Work (2025)
Run Time: 15min
A play on Mahisasura Mardini meets Little Red Riding Hood, this solo by Ishita Mili juxtaposes Ma Durga’s warrior strength and the reality of a girl defending herself in the real world. “Weapons cannot cut, fire cannot burn, water cannot wet, wind cannot dry up this Atma.” This piece was further developed in 2025 and performed at the Seattle International Dance Festival and New Victory Theater.
Presented at:
Victory Dance: Program B // New Victory Theater, NYC 2025
Seattle International Dance Festival // WA, 2025
Gonzaga University // WA, 2024
World Arts West Festival// SF, 2024
“Ishita Mili’s Swords blended classical Indian dance and hip-hop in a display of strength and defiance. Mili’s heavy, stomping, inverted leg movements blended seamlessly with detailed yet subtle gestures of her hands, head, and eyes. The mash-up of styles, seemingly so different, was captivating, and Mili is an exceptionally fascinating performer. Small in stature but enormous in power, she filled the stage, and while her solo was long, her ability to beguile and transfix her audience kept us with her the entire time.”
