Shubhada Varadkar

Education Qualification:
• Diploma in higher education (1987), University of Mumbai.
• Masters in Economics (1983), University of Mumbai.
Training in Indian Classical dance:
• Learnt Odissi dance under the guidance of late Padmavibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra from 1987 – 2004.
• Performed Arangetram under tutelage of Guru Shri Mani in 1983.
• Diploma in Bharat Natyam from Kalasadan institute of Fine Arts in 1983.
Experience:
• Teaching, Performing and conducting workshops in Odissi dance globally for past 25 years
• Conducted dance workshops for School of Philosophy, UK and Spain.
• Chairperson of Sanskrita Foundation, established in 2006, to promote art and culture.
• Organizing various cultural festivals like ‘Namamee’, ‘Prayaag’.
• Member of Examination Committee of Akhil Bhartiya Gandarva Mahavidyalaya, Miraj.
• News caster with Mumbai Doordarshan (1991-1998)
• Professor of Economics in R. R. Ruia College (1984-1987)

An artiste with a quest for perfection, Shubhada Varadkar a Performer, a Choreographer, a Writer, a Guru and a Guide has taken the divine form of Odissi to transcendental heights with her flawless performances and mentoring of aspiring artistes. Her individuality, versatility and sensitivity has blossomed under the guidance of her Guru Late Padmavibhushan Sri. Kelucharan Mohapatra. Shubhada also shares a strong bond with Bharat Natyam, having trained under Guru Sri Mani, yet Odissi has remained her first love and her ‘raison d’etre’.She symbolizes triumph of an artiste over life-threatening adversities. Films Division and PSBT’s documentary, on her inspiring life story “Peacock Plume” is appreciated by one and all for its inspirational impact and is selected for screening at major festivals like Kerala Documentary film festival and Stuttgart Film festival 2019. This documentary was also showcased for the seminars at Tata memorial hospital.

Hailed as a Prima Dona in Odissi by the critics,Shubhada’s dance brings out the true spirit of Odissi as a dance of love and passion in its purity. Her deep commitment to this dance form lead her to receive prestigious awards like Sringar Mani, Priyadarshini, Maharashtra Gourav , Mahari Award to mention a few and Senior Fellowship by Ministry of Culture Government of India. National artiste for Doordarshan, Shubhada is also an empanelled artiste of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Shubhada has been enthralling the audience with her artistic excellence nationally and internationally at various prestigious festivals like Khajurao Festival- MP, Ellora Festival-Maharashtra, Taj Mahotsav- UP, Art in Action festival – UK,Mahari Festival- Bhubaneshwar,Kalidas festival-Nagpur, Natyanjali festival – Chidambaram, Kalaghoda festival- Mumbai,National festival of Odissi dance- Bhubaneshwar, ‘Dance of hope’ with western classical dance choreographer Curtis Speck – Germany, Festival of India –Ghana, festival of India – Venezuela and many more. She also has conceptualized and performed a range of creative productions like Kanupriya, Journey to Divinity, Chitrangada, Mayurpankh, Amrutghanu and PrakrutiNartan which are well received for their rich tapestry of music, choreography and literature.Ragasswaa ,UK had released the DVD of Shubhada’s dance.
A professor of Economics, Shubhada was a newscaster with Indian Television in Mumbai. But the call of tinkling anklets made her give up all her other professions and devote all her time and energy to Indian classical dance.For Shubhada, dance is not merely a creative art form, but also a means of enriching and developing life.She established a charitable trust, Sanskrita Foundation dedicated to promote art and culture.
Shubhadais truly a multifaceted artiste as she has captivated art lovers through her writing skills by penning her autobiographical account Mayurpankh and coffee table book, Glimpses of Indian Classical Dance.