Shubhada Varadkar

🪔 About

Shubhada Varadkar, born on August 9, 1961, in Maharashtra, India, is a distinguished Odissi exponent, author, and practitioner of Indian classical dance. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Mumbai University and a diploma in Bharatnatyam from the Kalasadan Institute of Fine Arts. Before dedicating herself entirely to dance, Varadkar served as a professor of Economics at R. R. Ruia College and as a newscaster for Mumbai Doordarshan. Her profound journey in classical dance began with training in Bharatanatyam under Guru Mani, but she ultimately devoted herself to Odissi, becoming a direct disciple of the legendary Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, under whom she trained from 1987 to 2004. Varadkar is recognized as an 'A' grade National artist for Doordarshan, an empanelled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and a Senior Fellow of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Throughout her four-decade career, she has performed and conducted workshops across more than fifteen countries, establishing Odissi's presence in Maharashtra, a state without an indigenous Odissi tradition. Her innovative choreographic works include "Flamencodissi" (2019), a pioneering fusion of Odissi and Flamenco. Other notable productions are "Mayurpankh - Dance of Hope," an autobiographical piece reflecting her battle with cancer, "Kanupriya," "Chitrangada," "Journey to Divinity," "Amrutghanu," "Prakriti Nartan," and "Miracles of Splendours." Varadkar is also a prolific author, having penned "Glimpses of Indian Classical Dance" and her autobiography "Mayurpankh," which was later translated into English as "The Celestial Plume." A documentary titled "Peacock Plume" is based on her inspiring life story. She presented Geet Govind verses in 1995. In 2006, she founded the Sanskrita Foundation in Mumbai, a cultural trust dedicated to promoting art and culture, offering dance lessons, including free classes for underprivileged children, and supporting cancer patients. Awards & Honours: Maharashtra State Cultural Award (2019), Singar Mani award for Odissi by Sur Singar Samsad (2000), Mahari award for Odissi (2011), Kala Sarathi Award (2023), Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (2025), Senior Fellowship by Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 'A' Grade National Artist (Doordarshan), ICCR Empanelled Artist, Priyadarshini Award, Maharashtra Gaurav award by Maharashtra Kala Niketan (2006), Kalaratna Award (2016).