Mamata Shankar

Mamata Shankar (born 7 January 1955 in Kolkata, West Bengal) is an Indian dancer, choreographer, and actress associated with both performing arts and Bengali cinema. She is the daughter of pioneering dancer Uday Shankar and dancer Amala Shankar and the niece of the renowned sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. She received her early training in dance at the Uday Shankar India Culture Centre in Kolkata under the guidance of her mother, developing a style rooted in the modern Indian dance tradition established by her family.

Alongside her dance career, Mamata Shankar gained recognition as an actress in Bengali cinema. She made her film debut in the 1976 film Mrigayaa, directed by Mrinal Sen, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Over the years, she appeared in films by noted directors such as Satyajit Ray, Rituparno Ghosh, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, and Gautam Ghosh. Her performances have earned several honors, including a National Film Award and multiple Filmfare Awards Bangla.

In addition to acting, Mamata Shankar continues to work actively as a dancer and choreographer. She leads the Udayan–Mamata Shankar Dance Company, founded in 1986, and performs internationally with the Mamata Shankar Ballet Troupe, which began presenting productions in 1979. Her dance productions often draw on literary and cultural themes, including works inspired by Rabindranath Tagore. In recognition of her contributions to Indian arts and culture, she was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 by the Government of India.