Gul Bardhan

🪔 About

Gul Bardhan (1928 – November 29, 2010) was a prominent Indian choreographer, theatre personality, and lead dancer, recognized for her significant contributions to contemporary Indian dance. Born in Mumbai in 1928, she was initially associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). Her early inclination towards fine arts and the struggle for independence led her to join the Communist Party of India, where she met Shanti Bardhan, who became her guru and later her husband. Under his guidance, she learned contemporary Indian ballet. In 1952, Gul Bardhan co-founded the Little Ballet Troupe in Bombay with Shanti Bardhan, a dance and puppet company that was later renamed "Ranga Shri Little Ballet Troupe". After Shanti Bardhan's untimely demise in 1954, Gul Bardhan took over the leadership of the troupe, steering it for 54 years until her death. She was based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where the troupe operated. Her extensive training included Manipuri dance under Ojha Amubi Singh, Mayurbhanj Chhau under Guru Krishna Chandra Naik, Seraikella Chhau under Ganesh Mohanta, and folk dances of Gujarat and Rajasthan from Pratibha Pandit. Bardhan toured India with Shanti Bardhan's troupe, performing "India Immortal" in 1946, and represented India at the First World Youth Festival in Prague in 1947 with an exhibition titled "My Country My People". She also led her troupe to the first Ramayana festival in Indonesia in 1971. Gul Bardhan choreographed ballets such as "Uttapriydarshi" and "Mahabharat" and edited a book titled "Rhythm in Carnate," based on the life and work of Shanti Bardhan. Her dedication to preserving and promoting her husband's legacy, particularly his puppet dance drama "Ramayana," was a hallmark of her career. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Creative Dance (2001), Padma Shri (2010), Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (1964), Gaurav Puraskar, Shikhar Samman (2001).