BENGALURU, INDIA – In the world of dance, there are few who can capture the attention of an audience with such fervor and grace as Aditi Mangaldas. Despite her petite stature, she commands the stage with a magnetic presence that compels your eyes to follow her every move. A veteran of the classical dance form Kathak, Aditi seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, making her a revered figure in the world of Indian classical dance.
Aditi Mangaldas will be gracing Bengaluru with her latest choreography, “Immersed,” as part of SwarTaal, Jagriti’s annual festival celebrating Indian classical music, dance, and theater. Her performance is highly anticipated alongside other notable artists like Kapila Venu and TM Krishna. Speaking to us over the phone from her Delhi home, Aditi shared insights into the narrative of “Immersed,” which centers around Lord Krishna, a deity who holds a prominent place in Hindu mythology.
“Krishna is one of the most beloved and intriguing gods in the Hindu pantheon,” Aditi explains. “He’s a figure who has inspired countless forms of art—literature, architecture, dance, music, and poetry. Yet, he’s also a concept that defies boundaries. Can Krishna be just one thing or belong to just one category? To me, Krishna is an ever-flowing river, an unquenchable flame, representing life itself.”
Aditi’s journey with Kathak began at a very young age, and it was a path paved by her parents who noticed her natural inclination towards dance. “I started dancing almost instinctively. My mother had a passion for dance but wasn’t allowed to pursue it. So, they put me through music, dance, and visual arts to give me a well-rounded education,” she reveals.
At the tender age of four, Aditi encountered the legendary Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia, who would become her guru and deeply influence her artistic journey. “I was mesmerized by Kumudiniji. Her teaching style and the way she connected with the art form were revolutionary,” says Aditi. Under Lakhia’s mentorship and later the tutelage of another Kathak maestro, Birju Maharaj, Aditi honed her skills from the age of five to 26. “Both of them had contrasting yet equally compelling views on Kathak. While Kumudiniji saw ‘Kathak without Krishna,’ Maharajji viewed ‘Kathak as Krishna.’ These diverse perspectives enriched my understanding and appreciation of the art form.”
Kathak has undergone a fascinating evolution, Aditi recounts, traversing through different cultural and historical phases—from temple courtyards to Mughal courts, and now to the proscenium stage. “Kathak is a versatile medium that lends itself to both classical and contemporary narratives. This adaptability excites and challenges me as a dancer,” she says.
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Although deeply rooted in classical tradition, Aditi is equally adept at integrating contemporary elements into her performances. “Classical dance is like a river—constantly flowing and rejuvenating. By nurturing Kathak with contemporary sensibilities, you cultivate a tree deeply rooted in tradition yet open to new interpretations,” she elaborates.
Her creative process is as intricate as her dance moves. “First, I conceptualize the work through various inspirations—a text, a poem, a painting, or even a fleeting image,” Aditi explains. One poignant moment of inspiration came during a traffic jam when a gust of wind caused a tree to shed its yellow flowers onto her car. “It was a moment of epiphany that ignited my imagination,” she recalls.
However, bringing these ideas to life requires collaboration. Aditi’s collaboration with British dancer Aakash Odedra for “Mehek,” a love story between an older woman and a younger man, earned her a nomination for an Outstanding Performance (Classical) by the National Dance Critics Circle Award in the UK, 2017.
For Aditi, dance is not merely performance art, but a profound medium to address societal issues. “Patriarchy is often ingrained in our traditional art forms. I realized that many dances convey messages that I could not endorse. It’s important to challenge these ingrained biases,” she asserts.
Aditi’s contemporary works, such as “Forbidden” and “Within,” encapsulate her concerns about societal norms and human rights. “Within” emerged in the aftermath of the horrifying Nirbhaya rape case and explores themes of violence and humanity. “We removed gender from the dance to highlight the brutality and humanity within each of us,” she explains.
Her piece “Weeping Red,” based on a poem called “Gaza” by Sudeep Sen and Refaat Alareer, focuses on the impact of conflict on children worldwide. “It’s a cry against the massacre of innocents, regardless of their religion or geography,” Aditi says.
Despite her socially-conscious themes, Aditi insists she is not an activist. “I don’t carry a flag or have all the answers. My medium is dance, and I hope it encourages viewers to question themselves and explore their humanity,” she concludes.
Aditi Mangaldas’ “Immersed” will be performed in Bengaluru on September 28 at 7:30 PM at Jagriti Theatre, open to audiences aged eight and above. Tickets are available on BookMyShow.
Published: September 24, 2024, 07:09 AM IST
The Hindu MetroPlus
