Mangala Bhatt

🪔 About

Mangala Bhatt (1963 – June 16, 2025) was a distinguished Indian Kathak dance exponent, recognized for her contributions to the Jaipur Gharana and her ability to integrate nuances of the Lucknow style. Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, she received her initial education there before securing a national scholarship to train at the prestigious Kathak Kendra institute in New Delhi. She initially trained under Guru Kundanlal Gangani Ji and later received advanced training from Kathak maestro Pt. Durga Lal Ji of the Jaipur Gharana, from whom she absorbed brilliant technique, dazzling cadence, and subtle nuances of Kathak. She also took guidance from Guru Smt Rohini Bhate Ji. Her career saw her perform at numerous festivals across India and participate in major productions choreographed by her gurus, Pt. Durga Lal Ji and Pt. Birju Maharaj Ji. Mangala Bhatt was an empanelled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Doordarshan, and was associated with Sangeet Bharti, Kathak Kendra, and ICCR for national and international projects. She was also proactively involved in initiatives by organizations such as SPICMACAY, Heal a Child, and Rotaract, integrating art and culture into societal upliftment. She regularly delivered guest lectures at various institutions and was known for her innovative approach, combining Kathak with diverse art forms like jazz drums, flamenco, ballet, and painting. In 1990, along with her husband, Kathak dancer Raghav Raj Bhatt (a prime disciple of Pt. Birju Maharaj Ji), she co-founded Aakruti Kathak Kendra in Hyderabad. This institution became a significant center for promoting, popularizing, and propagating classical Kathak dance, nurturing thousands of students over three decades. She was also the director, curator, and host of 'Antarang', an annual music and dance festival held in Hyderabad in memory of Pt. Durga Lal Ji. Mangala Bhatt passed away on June 16, 2025, in Hyderabad at the age of 62. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2019), Telangana State Award.