Draft:Arushi Mudgal

Arushi Mudgal (born in 1986), is an Odissi dancer recognized for her technical proficiency and innovative interpretations of traditional dance forms.Hailing from a family with strong musical connections, Mudgal has made significant contributions to the field of dance. Mudgal made her debut in the Malayalam filmTrance (2020 film) where she played a minor role.

She commenced formal training in Odissi dance at the age of five under the guidance of her aunt, Guru Smt. Madhavi Mudgal, at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi. She successfully completed the Visharad examination in Odissi dance from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and achieved the Madhyama Purna qualification in classical Vocal music.

Arushi pursued her education at Carmel Convent School, Delhi, and later obtained an Honors degree in Sociology at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, Prior to committing exclusively to the pursuit of dance. She actively participated in numerous national and international performances as a member of her guru's dance troupe, engaging in festivals in countries such as Brazil, France,   Germany, and Morocco. Noteworthy engagements include performances at the Internationales TanzFestival in Germany and tours organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in South-East Asia, North America, and England.

Arushi has collaborated on projects such as 'Orfeo – Crossing the Ganges,' 'Sama' with French percussionist Roland Auzet, and 'Haveli.'  In 2018, she gained acknowledgment as one of the distinguished dancers, as recognized by The New York Times, Her awards comprise the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Young Women Achievers' Award by FICCI, Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman, President's Bal Shree Award, Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award, Chitra Kala Sangam Samman,  Sanatan Nritya Puraskar, Original Mind Award, and a Touring Fellowship from Milapfest, UK..

Arushi collaborated with scholar Prof. Sushil Kumar Saxena to co-author a book on the aesthetics of Odissi dance, published by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Apart from her performances, Mudgal is actively involved in dance education, conducting workshops globally and assisting her guru in teaching assignments, including workshops at the Kadam International Summer School in Manchester, UK.