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, Aditi won the UK Theatre Award 2024 in the category of ‘Achievement in Dance’ for MEHEK, a duet with her co-choreographer and dancer Aakash Odedra. Aditi was nominated for the National Dance Awards UK 2024 in the category of ‘Outstanding Female Classical Performance’ & ‘Best Classical Choreography’ (joint nomination with Aakash Odedra) for MEHEK. This was her third and fourth nomination for the National Dance Awards UK, the earlier two being a nomination in the category of ‘outstanding performance (classical)’ in 2017 for INTER_RUPTED and a nomination in the category of ‘outstanding female modern performance’ in 2023 for FORBIDDEN. Besides the above, Aditi was also nominated for the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture, and Theatre Awards 2024 (ACTAs), UK for MEHEK, which was also ranked as 'Top five dance shows of 2024' by The Stage, UK.
Aditi Mangaldas is empanelled with ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India) in the ‘outstanding artist’ category. 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.
“Aditi showed why she is rightfully considered one of the greatest of all time.”
Eastern Eye, UK, 2024
"With undiminished brilliance and virtuosity in the decades of her dancing career,
Aditi Mangaldas presented a whirlwind of electrifying choreography executed with
stunning power and precision."
The Hindu, India, 2024
“Marvelous performer who commands the stage throughout...”
Seeing Dance, UK, 2023
A captivating experience... erupts in energetic brilliance... demonstrating her
awe-inspiring control while creating an impactful picture... Mangaldas certainly
commands the space.
The Straits Times, Singapore,
2023
"Her artistry and poise, her dramatic gifts and unshakable technique are truly
astounding; dance as effortlessly compelling as this is a joy to watch in itself,
but underpinned by the questioning intelligence of mangaldas, it becomes something
transformative."
Maxim
Boon, The Limelight Magazine, Perth International Arts Festival, Australia,
2016
"Someone like Aditi Mangaldas is so important, because she is transforming the kathak
tradition from within."
Akram Khan, Financial Times, 2012
- Nritya Samrat | Awarded by ICCR Sri Lanka, Guru Wickramasinghe Gandharva Vidyalaya and Edgevin Vihan Company, Sri Lanka
- Hanumant Award, India 2025 | Awarded by Morari Bapu Asharam, Bhuj, Gujarat
- Kala Margi Award 2025 | Awarded by World Forum of Art & Culture, Bangalore
- UK Theatre Award 2024 | Awarded ‘Achievement in Dance’ (with Aakash Odedra) for MEHEK
- National Dance Awards 2024, UK | Nominated in the category of ‘Outstanding Female Classical Performance’ for MEHEK
- National Dance Awards 2024, UK | Nominated in the category of ‘Best Classical Choreography Performance’ (with Aakash Odedra) for MEHEK
- The Eastern Eye Arts, Culture, and Theatre Awards 2024 (ACTAs), UK | Nominated for MEHEK
- National Dance Awards 2023, UK | Nominated in the category of ‘Outstanding Female Modern Performance’ for FORBIDDEN
- Mahari Award 2022 | Awarded by Guru Pankaj Charan Odissi Research Foundation
- National Dance Awards 2017, UK | Nominated in the category of ‘outstanding performance classical’ for INTER_RUPTED’
- National Sangeet Natak Akademy Award for Creative and Experimental Dance 2013 | Declined due to compelling reasons
- Sanjukta Panigrahi Award, India 2012
- Gujarat Sangeet Natak Academy Award 2007 | Declined due to compelling reasons
- Priyadarshini Award 1998 | Awarded on 80th Birth Anniversary of Late Smt. Indira Gandhi