NATYA DHAARA

V P DHANANJAYAN AND

SHANTA DHANANJAYAN

Sri V P Dhananjayan and wife Shanta Dhananjayan, popularly known as the Dhananjayans have become a legendary dancing couple of India in their own life time. Having established their own academy Bharata Kalanjali, the two disciples of the legendary Rukmini Devi of Kalakshetra, have become international celebrities. Bharata Kalanjali, since its founding in 1968, has trained a number of students who have established themselves in different parts of the world. The Dhananjayans received the Padma Bhushan Award from President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 31, 2009 for development, preservation and propagation of the best of Kalakshetra tradition of Bharatanatyam through their dance academy Bharatakalanjali. They have received several other State and public recognitions including Kalaimamani, Central Sangit Natak Academi, Kerala State Sangeeta Nataka Academy's Fellowship, Nrityachoodamani (Sri Krishna Gana Sabha) and several prestigious National and International awards, titles and recognitions. The Madras Music Academy honoured Dhananjayan with the prestigious award and title "SANGEETA KALA ACHARYA". Dhananjayans have traveled abroad widely and spread the message of Indian art and culture throughout the world and brought great pride to Bhaarat through their Bharatanaatyam performances, lecture demonstrations, gurukulam type of training in Bharatanaatyam and Carnatic music to people of different nationalities. They have conducted gurukulam style dance camp in Yogaville, VA for the past 25 years

Shanta and V P Dhananjayan

"A HOME AWAY FROM HOME WHERE DANCE IS A WAY OF LIFE"