Arushi Mudgal

🪔 About

Arushi Mudgal, born in 1986 into a family of renowned musicians, is a distinguished Odissi dancer celebrated for her technical virtuosity and innovative interpretations of traditional dance forms. She commenced her formal training in Odissi dance at the age of five under the tutelage of her aunt and Guru, Smt. Madhavi Mudgal, at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi. This institution was founded by her grandfather, Pandit Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, and is currently headed by her father, Shri Madhup Mudgal, providing her with an in-depth exposure to music and dance from a young age. Mudgal also had the opportunity to receive guidance from esteemed maestros such as Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Smt. Leela Samson, and Smt. Priyadarshini Govind. She holds a graduate degree in Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and has completed the Visharad examination in Odissi dance and Madhyama Purna in classical vocal music from the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal. Arushi Mudgal has toured extensively both in India and internationally, performing as a soloist and as part of her guru's troupe at prestigious festivals and venues across Europe, the USA, and Asia. Her notable performances include the International Tanz Festival in Dusseldorf, Germany (where she was invited by Pina Bausch), Theatre de la Ville in Paris, and the Fall for Dance Festival in New York. In 2018, she was recognized by critic Alastair Macaulay as one of India's most remarkable dancers and was listed among The New York Times' Top Ten Dancers. She has engaged in various collaborative projects, including 'Orfeo – Crossing the Ganges' and 'Sama' with French percussionist Roland Auzet. Mudgal is also actively involved in dance education, conducting workshops globally and assisting her guru in teaching assignments. She has co-authored a book on the aesthetics of Odissi dance with Professor S.K. Saxena, published by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Awards & Honours: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (Sangeet Natak Akademi) (2010), President of India's Bal Shree Award (2002), Original Mind Award (Performing Arts) (2002), Sanatan Nritya Puraskar (2006), Chitra Kala Sangam Samman (2010), Young Women Achievers' Award by YFLO - FICCI (2011), Touring Fellowship from Milapfest, UK (2010), Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award (2014), Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman.