Media Release

Karkala, Nov 5: It was a moment of immense pride for Mangalureans across India when Adria Cardoza, an accomplished Odissi artiste from Mumbai with deep roots in Belman, Udupi district, performed at the Statue of Unity, Kevadia, on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India.

The grand national celebration, graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, featured a magnificent cultural showcase featuring over 800 classical dancers representing India’s diverse art forms. Among them was Adria Cardoza, who’s graceful Odissi performance reflected the elegance, discipline, and spiritual depth of India’s classical dance heritage.

Adria also had the opportunity to interact with performers representing Karnataka’s renowned Yakshagana art form, a proud moment of cultural connection where two distinct classical traditions came together as living symbols of India’s unity in diversity. The performance at such a national platform marked a major milestone in her artistic journey.

“Standing before the Statue of Unity, I felt Sardar Patel’s vision come alive,” Adria reflects. “Through Odissi, I wanted to express gratitude for our shared heritage and inspire others to find harmony in diversity.”

Coming from a Mangalurean Catholic family with roots in Belman, Adria has beautifully bridged tradition and geography by mastering Odissi, one of India’s oldest and most intricate classical dance forms.

In an era when many youngsters are drawn toward contemporary or western dance styles, Adria’s deep dedication to classical Indian art highlights her reverence for cultural heritage and her desire to preserve India’s timeless traditions.

A graduate in nutrition and dietetics, Adria seamlessly blends intellect with artistry, balancing academic excellence with creative passion. Beyond dance, she is also a trained Hindustani classical vocalist, a Pickleball medalist, and a crochet artist, truly embodying the harmony of mind, body, and soul.

Adria began learning Odissi at a young age, in the 4th grade, under the tutelage of Guru Sri Rabindranath Kumar Ati Budhi, one of India’s most respected Odissi exponents and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2023, conferred by the President of India. He has trained several renowned artists, including Meenakshi Sheshadri, Hema Malini, Tabu, and Rani Mukerji.

Her performances include appearances at Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple in Juhu alongside Meenakshi Sheshadri, the Odisha Fest 2019 in Navi Mumbai, the Festival of Performing Arts 2023 in Ahmedabad, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Event 2024 in Gujarat.

She has also appeared in TV commercials and made her acting debut in the School Cinema short film 'Apples & Oranges', directed by Rukshana Tabassum, which received national and international acclaim for its portrayal of youthful curiosity and moral learning.

Adria’s achievements are deeply rooted in a family that values both education and the arts. Her father, Gregory Stany Cardoza, an alumnus of NITTE Engineering College, serves as CTO with an international organisation. A poet at heart, his Konkani poems and short stories have been published in reputed Konkani magazines and broadcast on All India Radio, Mangalore.

Her mother Shaila Anita Cardoza nee D’Souza, a science graduate in electronics and computer from NITTE, began her career in technology before following her creative calling. She pursued professional studies in hair and makeup in London and went on to establish a successful international beauty business in Africa, catering to a global clientele. Upon returning to India, she became a celebrity hair and makeup artist particularly in the bridal and fashion industries working on Lakme Fashion Week, Dior fashion shows, and numerous high-profile events. Long before the social media era, her artistry stood out for its finesse and timeless elegance, helping thousands of brides look and feel their best on their special day- inspiring confidence and grace through her work.

Adria’s elder brother, Adney Cardoza, is a multi-talented achiever whose journey spans sports, modeling, and cinema. A national level tennis player, he represented his college in the United States, where he completed his higher education. Alongside his sporting pursuits, Adney built a flourishing career in modeling and acting, beginning at the tender age of eight. He has appeared in over 90 television commercials and featured in films, including the School Cinema short 'Mission Sunday' and the Bollywood feature film 'Rock On 2', where he shared the screen with Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal and Shradda Kapoor. Now pursuing higher studies in the United States, Adney continues to inspire Adria through his discipline, creativity, and quiet determination - qualities that clearly run deep in the Cardoza family.

The Cardoza family’s blend of technology, art, and global exposure has shaped Adria into a modern individual deeply connected to her Indian roots. Her mother fondly describes her as “an obedient, kind-hearted, and perfectionist child who strives for excellence in everything she does.”

Outside her rigorous dance practice, Adria is also an animal lover, a painter, and a crochet artist often sharing her sketches in her social media handle

For Adria, dance is not merely performance - it is meditation, devotion, and a bridge between cultures. Her journey as a Catholic Odissi artist stands as a shining example of India’s pluralistic spirit, where art transcends the boundaries of faith, language, and region embodying the vision of unity championed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

At the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations 2025, as the Statue of Unity glowed in the colors of the nation, Adria’s Odissi performance choreographed around the theme 'Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (One India, Self-Reliant India) resonated deeply with audiences. The movements told a story of unity, resilience, and pride, mirroring the spirit of the nation itself.

As the lights dimmed and the applause echoed across Kevadia in Gujarath, it was clear that Adria Cardoza had not just performed - she had connected hearts through art. Her journey reminds us that true artistry lies not in fame, but in devotion, discipline, and the joy of expressing one’s soul through culture.

“Through Odissi dance, I find oneness - with art, with India, and with humanity,” says Adria Cardoza.