Madhavi Mudgal is a famous Indian classical dancer who has earned immense recognition for her remarkable style of presenting Odissi dance. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, for her contribution to the field of Odissi dance. Presently, she performs numerous Odissi performances, along with her dance troupe, in various parts of the country and also overseas. Madhavi Mudgal is a significant name in the field of Odissi dance, a significant classical dance of India.

Early Life of Madhavi Mudgal
Madhavi Mudgal was born on 4th October, 1951 to the founder of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya named Professor Vinay Chandra Maudgalya. The Gandharva Mahavidyalaya was amongst the most notable dance schools which imparted dancing lessons in classical Indian dances as well as Hindustani dances and Hindustani classical music. Madhavi Mudgal harboured an intense love for arts and dance, inherited from her family which was further stimulated under the dexterous guidance of her teacher Shri Harekrishna Behera.

Very soon, she began to charm the entire world with her unique styles of displaying the Odissi dance and she is said to have delivered her very first dance performance at the tender age of four. During the initial part of her life as a dancer, she had concentrated mainly on Kathak and Bharatnatyam. However, she finally selected Odissi as her only medium of dance expression. Mudgal`s Odissi skills received a fresh breath of life under the supervision of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the legendary dance exponent. Madhavi Mudgal has received a Diploma in the field of Architecture and is a regular writer for different books and magazines.

Career of Madhavi Mudgal
Madhavi Mudgal has received widespread appreciation for her expertise in choreography and her contribution towards teaching Odissi dance amongst new dancers. Her excellent choreographic works have mesmerised people from various countries of the world and have been admired by Cervantino Festival, Mexico, Days of Indian Culture, Hungary, Avignon Festival, France, Edinburgh International Festival, U.K., Wuppertal and Berlin Festpiele, Germany, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Vienna Dance Festival, Austria, festivals in Malaysia, Japan, Spain, Vietnam, Laos, Pina Bausch`s Festival, Wuppertal and many others.

Personal Life of Madhavi Mudgal
Madhavi Mudgal`s brother is Madhup Mudgal who is a recipient of the Padma Shri award who is noted for his performances of `bhajans` and `khayals`. Mathup Mudgal is also the principal of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Delhi, besides being a conductor and composer. Arushi, who is her niece was a student of Carmel Convent School in Delhi and she received training from Madhavi, at Gandharava Mahavidyalaya. Mukul Mudgal, her second brother has retired from the services of the Chief Justice of Haryana and Punjab High Court.

Awards of Madhavi Mudgal
Madhavi Mudgal has been honoured with innumerable awards including `Nritya Choodamani` in 2004, `Odisha State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award` in 1996, `Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award` in 2000, `Sanskriti Award` in 1984, `Padma Shri` award bestowed by the President of India in 1990, `Delhi State Parishad Samman` in 2002 and `Grande Medaille de la Ville` by the Government of France in 1997.