Madhavi mudgal biography of george

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Initially she learnt Bharatnatyam and Kathak, but finally she chose Odissi as her medium of expression. The grace and elegance, the flavour of that form which attracted me, was of that style. She is the recipient of the Padma Shri, the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Nritya Choodamani, the Delhi State Parishad Samman, and the Grande Médaille de la Ville de Paris.

MM: Well, looking back, I was lucky to have had a background in other styles, and I was lucky to be with Guruji [Kelucharan Mohapartra] at that time, in the early 70s, because even he himself was working out a pedagogy, the system of teaching, at that time. So, he was a pakhavaj player himself. But there are some fundamentals of the form.

He is also a composer, conductor and has been principal of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi, a music and dance school since 1995. So, I left my architecture degree and I left Kathak to only do Odissi. So, too many things go into the making of a dancer. Her students, ranging from beginners to established performers, are trained not only in movement but also in the discipline and philosophy that sustain the art.

At Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, she carries forward her family’s legacy with the same dedication and compassion she received from her gurus.

In 1997, she received the Grande Médaille de la Ville de Paris from the City of Paris for her outstanding cultural contributions through dance.[11] She was also awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France.[4]Her work has garnered repeated acclaim at renowned international festivals, particularly for excellence in performance and choreography.

madhavi mudgal biography of george

I was dancing Kathak at a very professional level, different places in India, abroad, in solos and even accompanying as a partner to Durgalalji. I mean, I wouldn’t. Then after that I started training with him.  

Then even the first Odissi dancer who brought it to Delhi—Priyambada Mohantyji. I mean a variety of style is most welcome. I don’t know.

It was very touching.

MM: That is right.