Why Leo Varadkar's cousin is finding fame in India making former Taoiseach 'very proud'

Former Taoiseach Leo isn't the only one in his family to become very well known - but for different reasons

05:00, 19 Aug 2026

[A first cousin of former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was presented with a prestigious award for classical dance by the president of India last week.]

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Leo Varadkar said he was proud of his high-achieving cousin from Mumbai, Shubhada.

A first cousin of former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was presented with a prestigious award for classical dance by the president of India last week.

Mr Varadkar said he was proud of his high-achieving cousin from Mumbai, Shubhada, after she was conferred with the award on Thursday, but joked that he had inherited his own dance moves from the Irish side of his family.

Shubhada, 65, is a professor of economics and two-time cancer survivor, who has now also been recognised as one of the best classical dancers in India.

She was presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award for Odissi a classical dance form from eastern India by the countrys President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.

[Leo pictured with his cousin Shubhada]

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Leo pictured with his cousin Shubhada

Shubhadas father and Leos uncle, Manohar Varadkar, was a freedom fighter who was jailed during Indias struggle for independence. Her grandfather, V.R. Khanolkar, a pathologist known as the father of medical research in India.

In a report published by the Indian Express last week, the Varadkar family lineage was described as bridging Mumbai intellectual circles and contemporary European politics, referring to generations of medical practitioners, lawyers, and freedom fighters.

Shubhada began learning Bharatanatyam, another form of Indian classical dance, as a teenager but later transitioned to Odissi. The Sangeet Natak Akademi award is Indias highest recognition in the field of performing arts.

[A first cousin of former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was presented with a prestigious award]

View 3 Images

A first cousin of former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was presented with a prestigious award

Reflecting on her journey in classical dance, Shubhada told the Indian Express that her household allowed for democratic decision-making despite the absence of any legacy in the arts.

There was no legacy of dance anywhere around, she said.

Nobody even knew what classical dance was. That atmosphere, however, did allow for democratic decision-making. When I wanted to dance, there was no resistance. My father said, If you like it, do it.

Leo Varadkar took to social media this week to share his pride at his first cousins latest achievement.

Very proud to see the pictures of my cousin Shubhada Varadkar accept this award in New Delhi last week, he wrote.

I think I got my dance moves from the Irish side of my family though. Only able to after a few pints and then very badly.

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