Aditi Mangaldas
Aditi Mangaldas is a pioneering force in the world of Indian classical dance, acclaimed for her mastery and innovation in the Kathak tradition. Trained under two of Kathak’s most revered gurus—Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia and Pandit Birju Maharaj—Aditi embodies a rare blend of deep classical grounding and contemporary exploration. Her work is characterised by extraordinary technique, lyrical expressiveness, and a fierce, unmistakable energy. As the head of the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company and The Drishtikon Dance Foundation, she has carved a unique space for herself, using the classical language of Kathak as a springboard to develop a bold and original contemporary dance vocabulary.
Renowned globally for her boundary-breaking performances, Aditi is celebrated not only for her artistry but for her fearless engagement with social and contemporary issues through dance. Her duet MEHEK with co-choreographer Aakash Odedra won the UK Theatre Awards 2024 for ‘Achievement in Dance’ and was named one of the top five dance shows of the year by The Stage, UK. She has also received critical nominations from the National Dance Awards UK in both classical and modern categories, including for INTER_RUPTED and FORBIDDEN. Empanelled in the ‘outstanding artist’ category by the ICCR, she has been recognised with awards such as the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the prestigious National Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the latter of which she chose to decline. She has collaborated with renowned artists like Aakash Odedra and has been lauded by peers such as Akram Khan for transforming Kathak from within.
At the Darbar Festival, Aditi Mangaldas delivered unforgettable performances in both 2017 and 2019, showcasing the breadth and depth of her artistry. In 2017, her appearance was hailed by The Guardian as a masterclass in presence, with the review noting, “Mangaldas owned the stage without trying to earn it.” Her 2019 performance further cemented her reputation as a global icon in dance, blending classical form with contemporary expression in a way that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. These performances stood as vivid examples of her vision—to honour tradition while fearlessly pushing its boundaries—and left an indelible mark on one of the UK’s most revered classical arts platforms.
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