My Soul Speaks in Tatkar and Mudras”: Madhurima Tuli on Pursuing Kathak & Odissi, Inspired by Sitara Devi, Madhuri Dixit & Vidya Balan.

Mumbai: Indian cinema has always shared an intimate relationship with classical dance, and actress Madhurima Tuli is among the artistes who hold deep reverence for the cultural legacy of Indian performing arts. Known for her striking presence on screen, she reveals a side of her artistic spirit that is rooted not in fame, but in a sincere admiration for Kathak and Odissi two classical forms that have shaped India’s artistic identity for centuries.
For Madhurima, Kathak and Odissi are not merely performance traditions; they are living, breathing stories of our civilization, carried forward through generations of legendary dancers. She speaks with genuine emotion about her inspiration, acknowledging the brilliance of women who kept these traditions glowing:
“When I watch the grace of Sitara Devi ji, the expressions of Madhuri Dixit ma’am, or the stillness and storytelling of Vidya Balan ma’am, I feel something move inside me. It is as if our culture calls out to us through dance.”

Madhurima expresses a growing yearning a desire to immerse herself, learn, and eventually contribute to the legacy of classical dance. She hopes that her journey may inspire younger generations to look back at their own heritage with pride, especially at a time when Kathak continues to influence audiences and artists across the world.
“I don’t see Kathak and Odissi as something I left behind or something I must prove. I see them as gifts of our land something to cherish, to learn from, and to protect. Our traditions are not old… they are timeless. When I see the rhythm of tatkar or the sculpturesque poses of Odissi, it feels like India is speaking. And I want to listen.”
Madhurima believes that classical dance enriches an artiste’s emotional and creative depth. The discipline of footwork, the eloquence of mudras, the subtlety of facial expression they are all, in her words, “training for the soul.”As she continues her artistic evolution, Madhurima Tuli envisions a future where she can weave Kathak and Odissi into her storytelling on screen, reminding audiences that Indian art forms are not remnants of history they are the heartbeat of who we are.