“Every step I take in Kathak and every note I sing is not just art, it is my prayer for peace in a world that longs for harmony. Through music and dance, I have found that borders dissolve and souls connect.”
Dr. Kajal Muley’s life is an epic of grace, courage, and quiet revolution. Born in Bangladesh, she crossed oceans and cultures to become one of India’s most revered classical dancers and vocalists, a scholar, mentor, institution-builder, and, at 65+, a gold medal winning athlete who refuses to let age dim her fire. She has written and composed many Geet, Bhajan, Thumri, and Tarana which she has used in her dance performances. She holds an MPA in Kathak from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, an MA in Classical Vocal Music from SNDT University Mumbai, stood First Class First in M.Phil at Gujarat Vidyapith, and earned a Ph.D. on “Attainment of Peace Through Music” in 2004 in Bhavnagar district, becoming the first in the district to achieve this in her field, her lifelong manifesto.
A Voice That Echoed Across Two Nations
For seven years she served at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy under the Ministry of Culture, becoming a celebrated radio-television artist, playback singer in the film Chokher Moni, and screen actress. Her most sacred milestone: she became the first dancer since the legendary Chola Devi to perform at historic Shri Somnath Temple.
She has performed across Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore, Bali, Pakistan, Nepal, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and in India from Jammu & Kashmir to Prayagraj. Her directed dance-dramas, Draupadi Vastraharan, Alibaba and the Forty Thieves, Radhika’s Manbhanjan, Rami Chandidas, The Selfish Giant, Lal Kamal Neel Kamal, and the Gujarati Sagar Pakhi, have moved audiences deeply. She has authored four acclaimed books, including Attainment of Peace Through Music.
In 1989 she founded Kala Bharti Performing Arts Centre in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, training thousands of students. Since 2006 she has offered completely free dance training and examinations to girls from lower-middle-class families, no fees, only opportunity. This quiet revolution has transformed hundreds of lives. The Gujarat Government honoured her with “Special Citizen Honour” and “Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar.” Rashtrapati Bhavan invited her as a special guest for the “Gujarat Darpan” programme.
Creativity Blooming in Crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the whole world was gripped by fear, schools and colleges were shut, workplaces closed, people were migrating back to their villages, and normal social life including parties, functions and meetings had stopped, traditional last rites became difficult and even attending funerals of close family members was restricted due to lockdowns.
As a dancer, she continued her practice through online dance and singing sessions, created videos on various topics in different languages, and presented an original online play titled “Corona ke Saath Seedhi Baat”. All her creations and writings were her own original works. With domestic help stopped, she handled all household work herself, often feeling lonely and exhausted. To keep her mind healthy and positive, she began creating Pushp Rangoli using fallen Parijat flowers that bloomed abundantly under the tree in her courtyard every morning, blending traditional Bengali Alpana and Maharashtra-style Rangoli techniques. Initially her designs were not perfect, but she gradually improved; sometimes she spent 2-3 hours on one piece, often working late into the night. It became almost an addiction, a source of peace, joy, and mental strength during tough times.
The creative process gave her immense emotional support. Later she started sharing her Rangoli creations; people responded positively, bringing smiles and encouragement. Encouraged, she decided to publish this book on flower-based Pushp Rangoli so her experiences, designs and the beauty of this art could be preserved. She invited small notes from several respected senior artists whose blessings are included. The book is her heartfelt offering combining beautiful visuals (darshan) with knowledge (gyan) as a gift to the mind and heart of art lovers, done purely for her own inner joy and satisfaction (apne khud ke aanand ke liye).
She has received more than fifty national and international awards, including “Nari Ratna Samman,” “Sahitya Vaibhav Award,” “Lady Icon Award,” “Vishwakala Sanskriti Ratna,” and Lifetime Achievement honours at global peace conferences.
In 2026, at 65+, she swept gold medals in the 200m run, 3000m run, and 3000m walk at the Master Athletes Association of Bhavnagar and Gujarat State Master Games in Vadodara, proving passion keeps body and soul forever young. She is also deeply interested in swimming and sports and was preparing to participate in a national-level swimming/sports event in Delhi.
Exclusive Interview with Dr. Kajal Muley
Question: Dr. Kajal, you were born in Bangladesh, served seven years at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and then made Gujarat your home. What was the most emotional moment when the two cultures truly merged within you?
Dr. Kajal: The day I performed at Shri Somnath Temple. Standing where Chola Devi once danced, I felt Bangladesh’s rivers and Gujarat’s soil become one in my footsteps. That moment dissolved every border inside me. My art is now a bridge, carrying the soul of both nations to the world.
Question: Since 1989 you have run Kala Bharti, and since 2006 offered free training to underprivileged girls. What is the most touching transformation story you have witnessed?
Dr. Kajal: A girl from a poor Bhavnagar family joined at 12, shy and hesitant. Today she is a confident performer who teaches others and supports her family. Seeing her bloom reminded me why I started Kala Bharti, to prove talent needs no money, only opportunity and love.
Question: With over 50 awards and historic milestones, what one message would you leave for young artists and girls chasing their passion?
Dr. Kajal: Never let circumstances silence your inner music. Dance with discipline, sing with devotion, and serve with an open heart. Art is prayer. When you give freely, the universe gives back in ways you never imagined.
Question 4: In 2026 you won multiple athletic golds at 65+. What is your secret to staying vibrant?
Dr. Kajal: The same discipline I bring to Kathak daily practice, a grateful heart, and seeing every challenge as rhythm. During the pandemic I also turned to Pushp Rangoli for mental strength. Age is only a number when your spirit stays young. I train my body like I train my art, with joy and purpose.
Question 5: Looking back at your extraordinary journey, what heartfelt message would you share with every reader, young artist, dreamer, and girl who dares to dance to her own rhythm?
Dr. Kajal: Dream boldly, give generously, and never stop learning. Art heals, compassion lifts, and courage knows no age. If one woman from Bangladesh can bridge nations, create Rangoli in lockdown, and win gold at 65, you too can turn your dreams into reality. Keep dancing, the world needs your light.
Dr. Kajal Muley is living proof that one woman’s grace can bridge nations, one teacher’s generosity can uplift generations, and one soul’s commitment to peace can echo worldwide. May her rhythm inspire you to dance your dreams into reality.
ज्योतिषाचार्य और मानविकी संकायाध्यक्ष,
मगध विश्वविद्यालय, गया
