Aditi Mangaldas
Encyclopedia
Aditi Mangaldas is a renowned Kathak
danseuse and choreographer, who works with the traditional repertoire of Kathak, infusing it with a modern sensibility. A former student of both Kumudini Lakhia
and Birju Maharaj
, she remained one of the principal dancers in latter's troupe for several years, before starting her own dance institution in Delhi, the Drishtikon Dance Foundation, where she is the artistic director and principal dancer.
She started training in Kathak dance under Kumudini Lakhia
at Kadamb Centre for Dance in Ahmedabad
at a young age. Later at the advise of her aunt Pupul Jayakar
, she moved to Delhi to explore dance avenues in the city. Here she became a student of Birju Maharaj
at Kathak Kendra, Delhi. After completing her dance training, she travelled to many part of the world as a part of Birju Maharaj's troupe.
Besides directing solo items, Aditi Mangaldas has also choreographed a number of group ensembles that have been an arresting blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Over the past years she has produced several choreographic works including Cheekh, Swagat Vistar, The Sound of the universe, Vrindakriti to name a few. She has also conducted several workshops and presented papers at dance seminars.
In 2005, the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company with a troupe of six dancers and three musicians made its US debut at the Asia Society with "Footprints on Water."
Kathak
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
danseuse and choreographer, who works with the traditional repertoire of Kathak, infusing it with a modern sensibility. A former student of both Kumudini Lakhia
Kumudini Lakhia
Kumudini Lakhia is an Indian Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where she founded Kadamb School of Dance and Music, an institute of Indian dance and music in 1967....
and Birju Maharaj
Birju Maharaj
Brijmo Mishra popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj is currently the leading exponent of the Varanasi Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance in India.He is a descendant of the legendary Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, including his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father...
, she remained one of the principal dancers in latter's troupe for several years, before starting her own dance institution in Delhi, the Drishtikon Dance Foundation, where she is the artistic director and principal dancer.
Early life and training
Born in 1960, Aditi Mangaldas was brought up in Ahmedabad, where she also did her Bachelor of Science from St. Xavier’s College.She started training in Kathak dance under Kumudini Lakhia
Kumudini Lakhia
Kumudini Lakhia is an Indian Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where she founded Kadamb School of Dance and Music, an institute of Indian dance and music in 1967....
at Kadamb Centre for Dance in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
at a young age. Later at the advise of her aunt Pupul Jayakar
Pupul Jayakar
Pupul Jayakar was an Indian cultural activist and writer, most known for her work towards the revival of traditional and village arts, handlooms and handicrafts in post-independence India, as well as organizing a series of Indian arts festivals in the 1980s in France, US and Japan that are...
, she moved to Delhi to explore dance avenues in the city. Here she became a student of Birju Maharaj
Birju Maharaj
Brijmo Mishra popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj is currently the leading exponent of the Varanasi Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance in India.He is a descendant of the legendary Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, including his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father...
at Kathak Kendra, Delhi. After completing her dance training, she travelled to many part of the world as a part of Birju Maharaj's troupe.
Career
She has given Kathak performances in major dance festivals in India and has been featured in the Festivals of India in UK, US, and the Soviet unions.Besides directing solo items, Aditi Mangaldas has also choreographed a number of group ensembles that have been an arresting blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Over the past years she has produced several choreographic works including Cheekh, Swagat Vistar, The Sound of the universe, Vrindakriti to name a few. She has also conducted several workshops and presented papers at dance seminars.
In 2005, the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company with a troupe of six dancers and three musicians made its US debut at the Asia Society with "Footprints on Water."
Quotes on Aditi Mangaldas
- "As I remember, Aditi was never satisfied with just the technique or the kinetics of dance. She wanted to explore - the space around her, the energy as a driving force, the innumerable patterns forming kaleidoscopic extensions, the colours, moods and just about everything. Her concerns were of larger images outside her own little frail being."
- Kumudini LakhiaKumudini LakhiaKumudini Lakhia is an Indian Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where she founded Kadamb School of Dance and Music, an institute of Indian dance and music in 1967....
, Aditi's guru, an eminent kathak guru and choreographer
- Mangaldas is a creature of the stage...She easily holds the stage with a powerful feminine presence.
- Leigh Witchel, Sept. 30th, 2005. New York, Danceviewtime
External links
- Aditi Mangaldas website
- Rooted, yet modern (Interview) The HinduThe HinduThe Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...