Shakuntala Nagarkar

🪔 About

Shakuntala Nagarkar, fondly known as Shakubai, is a highly acclaimed Indian dancer, primarily recognized for her mastery of Lavani, a traditional folk dance form from Maharashtra. Born in Ahmednagar in 1960, Nagarkar hails from the Bhatu Kolhati Samaj, a community with a rich heritage of dance. Her mother, Chhabu Bai Nagarkar, was also a dancer, and Shakuntala began her journey in dance at a young age, wearing her first ghungroos in 1971 at the age of 11 in Parali Vaijnath, Beed. Nagarkar has been a trailblazer in the field of Lavani for over 50 years, leading her own troupe for 35 years and performing in various cities including Pune, Solapur, and Belgaum. She is regarded as a "Lavani queen" in Maharashtra and is one of the last great exponents of Sangeet Bari, a traditional form of Lavani. Her performances are characterized by a flirty, playful, and teasing style, embodying the essence of Lavani, an erotic dance form performed in vibrant nine-yard saris (nauvari) to expressive songs. Beyond her folk dance roots, Shakuntala Nagarkar also has a connection to Indian classical dance, having become a disciple of Kathak guru Vasantrao Ghatge in 1974 at the Hanuman Theatre in Lal Baug, Mumbai. She has dedicated herself to mentoring and training many young girls in the nuances of footwork, singing, and *adakari* (expressive acting) inherent in Lavani. Her significant contributions to the performing arts were recognized with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2008 for her work in Other Traditional/Folk/Tribal Dance/Music/Theatre. Nagarkar is based in Pune and continues to be an influential figure in preserving and promoting the art of Lavani. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008).