Madhavi Mudgal Biography 
Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal is a noted Odissi dancer. She is the daughter of famous Hindustani vocalist, Vinay Chandra Maudgalya who established the art institute Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Delhi in 1939. Famous singer Subha Mudgal was earlier married to her brother, Mukul Mudgal, now known as a jurist. Her brother Padma Shri Madhup Mudgal is a musician. Thus the family has three Padma Shri recipients. A gifted artist of present generation, she is a recipient of numerous honours including Padma Shri in 1990, Orissa State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 and Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000. She was honoured by government of France with the title, Grande Medaille de la Ville in 1997. Sanskriti Award, Nritya Choodamani and Parishad Samman are a few more.
Madhavi Mudgal was born into the family of musicians, and her siblings and next generation too carried the same tradition. Her father Padma Shri Vinay Chandra Maudgalya was a Hindustani vocalist who followed Gwalior tradition of singing, and an educator who started Gandharva Mahavidyalaya to promote different dance and music forms. As her family was deeply influenced by arts, Madhavi too followed the same tradition. She also took Diploma in Architecture and writes columns for various forms of publications.
Though music was her father’s main interest, Madhavi chose dancing profession. But her brother Madhup Mudgal followed the music traditions of his father. He currently serves as the principal of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Like her father and brother, she also earned Padma Shri awards in recognition for her contributions towards arts. Madhavi Mudgal's second brother Mukul Mudgal is a retired Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court who headed the Mudgal Committee. Mukul Mudgal was earlier married to famous classical singer Subha Mudgal. She was a disciple of Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, who still keeps the same surname even after her remarriage. Their son is also a musician, and a lead singer in the Delhi-based band 'Half Step Down.
Madhavi took formal learning in classical dance forms from Harekrishna Behera, and gave her first public performance when she was only 4. Initially she learnt Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and later switched over to Odissi dance form in her teens. Now she is well-known choreographer and dance teacher. Many of her productions have been showcased in dance festivals in India and abroad.
Published: September 12, 2018
Updated: September 12, 2018
