Creating Dance That Resonates

ADITI MANGALDAS Dance Company

Bio 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, she has consistently broken ground, unafraid to confront social and present-day concerns.

She heads the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company – The Drishtikon Dance Foundation.

Show Highlights

(0:02:23) A love story between a mature older woman and a younger man: Upcoming Duet with Akash Odedra

(0:07:22) Lost In The Forest: expressing the anxiety and isolation felt during the pandemic

(0:08:44) Working with Shubha Mudgal for the production

(0:09:34) Using empty frames to show movement in time

(0:13:32) Performing for the first time in India post Pandemic: 2022 Jaipur Literary Festival

(0:15:09) Uncharted: What/Who are we looking for?

(0:17:01) Building and nurturing relationships

(0:19:26) Getting pregnant with your work

(0:21:24) Keeping things open to interpretation based on people's own life experiences

(0:22:25) Creating art that resonates with you for years

(0:24:32) The elements of storytelling

(0:25:34) How far in history do you go back to call something traditional

(0:28:32) The importance of not getting complacent

(0:29:48) The process of getting to dance on a world stage

(0:31:08) Playing the dual roles of a dancer and choreographer

(0:32:50) The importance of working with a diverse set of dancers

(0:34:11) Wearing multiple hats: dancer, choreographer, artistic director

(0:36:21) Cross training: Kalari/Yoga/Contemporary Dance

(0:37:43) The meaning of Kathak sensibilities

(0:40:39) Giving a direction to your artistic endeavors

(0:42:16) Collecting thoughts, ideas, images

(0:44:38) Is time reversible: Timeless

(0:47:41) Using Rhythm to portray time

(0:51:55) How do you feel about being an inspiration

(0:56:19) Declining the National SNA award for creative/experimental work

(0:57:10) Portraying raw pain and anguish

(0:58:59) Having a responsibility as a dancer

(1:00:21) Double Standards