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Madhavi Mudgal, the virtuoso Classical dancer from Delhi, was here in Pune recently to pay tribute to her late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra on his 83 rd Birth Anniversary on January 6.
The honorary dance was an event in keeping with the annual tradition started by Yogini Gandhi in 2005, the year after Mohapatra passed away. Yogini is also a disciple of Mohapatra. This was the third year of the serial tribute and one that Mudgal made memorable with her versatility and virtuosity as she along with her niece Arushi Mudgal presented pieces that completely mesmerised the gathering present at the Symbiosis Vishwabhavan.
Dancing is in her soul-and blood. Born to a family devoted to classical Indian music, she took up dancing at an early age. Having gained a multifarious knowledge of Kathak and Bharatnatyam , she finally embraced Odissi for its lyricism and refinement, studying it first under Guru Hare Krishna Bahera and later coming under the aegis of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.
After studying architecture for four years, Madhavi heeded to her true calling. "I had to decide on one course. And I chose dancing", she says, contentment in her voice.
Her tours around the world to promote Indian Classical dance have ensued in the Sanskriti Award, 1984, President of India's award of Padma Shri, 1990, Grande Medaille de la Ville by the city of Paris, 1997 and prestigious others.
In an endeavor to disperse her dancing flair among the progeny, she teaches Odissi at the Gandharva Mahavidhyalaya, instituted by her father, Pandit Vinaya Chandra Mudglaya in 1939.
"There are a lot of enthusiastic young pupils who share the same zeal for classical dance. We have to continue what we have been given and pass it on to the coming generation", she says.
Madhavi juggles her time between performing, teaching and traveling. "Its not just the physical training and practice, but one also need to think about the dance, to meditate upon it", she says after a disciplined three-hour practice session every day. She has an upcoming performance in Gaya, Bihar on January 15.
Amazing grace
Dancing is a form of art that demands discipline, dedication and skill. It might take years to master the moves and sensibilities innate to dancing, particularly when it is a classical form. But Arushi Mudgal has proved that love for the art and one's dexterity at it transcends age. Arushi, a mere twenty-one years of age, is the disciple and niece of the renowned danseuse Madhavi Mudgal. She was here in Pune as part of the homage dance to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, under whose exalted aegis her aunt Madhavi has learnt Odissi classical dance. Known for her riveting performances, youthful ebullience and narrative detail, this young coryphée has a lot to boast. She has been awarded the estimable Bal Shree Award in 2002. But she just laughs and says, "It's all a part and parcel of my work."
Describing her emotions about the dancing tribute, she says, " It s a different feeling altogether. You want to dedicate all that you have learnt to the great masters in the field."
Blessed to be born in an artistic family, her father, Madhup Mudgal, being a famous vocalist too, she is hailed as one of the most promising and talented Odissi dancers. Arushi, after pursuing Sociology (Honors) for a year and a half, had to drop full time classes to chase the one thing she had always wanted to do. But undeterred by the exacting demands on her time, she refuses to complain. "It's not a compulsion. I chose it myself", she says matter-of-factly. She is currently doing a correspondence course in B.A. now.."There are always a lot of things you want to do, but there has to be a focus. you can't possibly do all the things. You have to prioritize," she says, explaining her decisions.
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