Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha
Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha is an Indian Kathak exponent, dance educationist, choreographer, artistic director, cultural promoter, social worker, and environmentalist based in Ludhiana, Punjab. She has nearly three decades of experience in performing arts and dance education, and is the founder and artistic director of Sangita's Studio of Performing Arts, one of the most respected and established dance institutions in the region, which has nurtured talent for the past 28 years.
Education
Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha holds a B.A., B.A. (Hons.), M.A., and a Ph.D. in Indian Classical Music & Dance (Kathak).
Career
Before emerging as a leading dance educator at a young age, Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha represented India in Punjabi Folk Dance at cultural festivals and international platforms, travelling extensively and showcasing India's cultural heritage abroad. At the age of 20, she received the honour of representing Punjab in the Phool Walon Ki Sair held in New Delhi, where participating states ceremonially present a traditional fan to the President of India.
She began her teaching career as a Dance Lecturer at APJ College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, in 1993. She later joined Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Jalandhar, as Head of the Dance Department. After her marriage, she moved to Ludhiana and served at Sacred Heart School for nearly ten years, before establishing her own dance institute and working as a freelance artist.
With over thirty years of experience, Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha has made significant contributions to the field of performing arts and dance education. She is the founder and artistic director of Sangita's Studio of Performing Arts in Ludhiana. Drawing on her global exposure and extensive travel experience, she introduced modern techniques, fresh concepts, and international standards of dance training in India, and played a pioneering role in introducing Western and Latin dance forms to Punjab, introducing Salsa in 2005 and Belly Dance in 2009.
Alongside her expertise in Kathak and other Indian classical forms, she leads one of India's Salsa training academies. Her students have been National Champions since 2012, Asian Champions in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and have won at multiple international platforms, including representing India at the Asia Pacific Championships in Bangkok and being crowned World Champions at a virtual championship hosted in Canada.
She has represented India internationally in countries including the USA, Canada, Greece, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, and Bali. Under her guidance, students have performed and competed on international platforms in Greece, Canada, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai.
She serves as a national-level DanceSport coach and judge and is actively involved in promoting Indian classical and folk arts. She has also organized prestigious cultural events, including the Punjab International Dance Festival, World Dance Day celebrations, and numerous national dance championships and cultural festivals.
Achievements
Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha has received recognition from national and international bodies, including the Punjab Chief Minister's Award for contribution to art and culture, honours from the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), an Excellence Award presented by Kareena Kapoor Khan, a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Terence Lewis, and honours for women entrepreneurship and leadership from organizations including FICCI FLO.
She holds several professional memberships and leadership roles, including Member of the International Dance Council; Founder Member and General Secretary of the Punjab DanceSport Association; National Coach and Judge with the Amateur DanceSport Federation of India; Executive Member of FICCI FLO Ludhiana; and National Executive of SPIC MACAY.
Philanthropy
Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha remains committed to social upliftment. Through her studio, she supports economically weaker girls and transgender individuals by helping them pursue education and opportunities in dance.
Personal Life
Dr Sangita Bedar Kushwaha has balanced her professional career with her role as a homemaker. She is the mother of two Marine Engineers and is married to a Chief Scientist with the Government of India, who has received recognition from Guinness World Records and an Innovation Award from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
