Aditi Mangaldas

Aditi Mangaldas is a leading dancer and choreographer in the classical Indian dance form of Kathak. With extensive training under the leading gurus of Kathak, Shrimati Kumudini Lakhia and Pandit Birju Maharaj, Aditi is today recognised for her artistry, technique, eloquence and characteristic energy that mark every performance. Besides dancing and choreographing classical productions, both solo and group, she has broken new ground by using her knowledge and experience of Kathak as a springboard to evolve a contemporary dance vocabulary, infused with the spirit of the classical.
Considered a maverick in India, Aditi is unafraid to confront social and present-day concerns. Celebrated around the world for the startling richness and intricacy of her dance and choreography, she was nominated in the category of outstanding performance (classical) by the National Dance Critics Circle awards - 2017 in the UK as well as, more recently, for outstanding female modern performance by the National Dance Critics Circle Award 2023 UK for her new solo FORBIDDEN, and for the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture, and Theatre Awards (ACTAs), UK for MEHEK. Aditi was awarded the Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy award, India 2007 as well as the National Sangeet Natak Akademi award, India 2013, that due to compelling reasons, she declined.
Aditi has won much critical acclaim across the world including at major international dance festivals. As quoted by Eastern Eye UK 2024… “She is rightfully considered one of the greatest of all time.” Or by The Straits Times Singapore, 2023…  “Erupts in energetic brilliance.” Or by Seeing Dance UK, 2023… “Exceptional… compelling… every moment is imbued with meaning.” Or Eastern Eye UK, 2023… “Shattering glass ceilings, breaking boundaries and delivering path-breaking performances have defined the dance journey of Aditi Mangaldas.”
As quoted by the Guardian, London in 2017, “Mangaldas owned the stage without trying to earn it……” Or at the Perth International Arts Festival, 2016, “Her artistry and poise, her dramatic gifts and unshakable technique are truly astounding” …. and at the Edinburgh International Festival, 2012, “Her concept of the intangible embraces the divine and the profoundly human: love and freedom, truth and beauty being as cosmically mystical as god.”
In India, many dance critics and connoisseurs celebrate her dance, “Her dance demonstrates what it means to be utterly free in body, mind and spirit to explore the world”. – Shanta Gokhale
She heads the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company – The Drishtikon Dance Foundation.
www.aditimangaldasdance.com