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. Aditi Mangaldas is empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India (ICCR) in the ‘outstanding artist’ category.
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 has recently won the UK Theatre Awards 2024 in the category of ‘Achievement in Dance’ for MEHEK, a duet with her co-choreographer and dancer Aakash Odedra. She was nominated in the category of ‘Outstanding performance (classical)’ by the National Dance Awards UK - Critics Circle in 2017 for her production INTER_RUPTED as well as, more recently, for ‘Outstanding female modern performance’ by the National Dance Awards UK - Critics Circle in 2023 for FORBIDDEN, and for the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture, and Theatre Awards 2024 (ACTAs), UK for MEHEK
She 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.
She has won much critical acclaim in major dance festivals across the world. As quoted by the Guardian, London, 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; dance as effortlessly compelling as this is a joy to watch in itself”…. 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