Living legends of an ancient tradition…..

Shri VP & Shanta Dhananjayan

This magnificint couple is the senior most disciples of the legendary Smt. Rukmini Devi and celebrated Kalakshetra alumnae. The Dhananjayans have journeyed through six decades with long experience forging a galaxy of dancers and musicians in their wake.

Bharata Kalanjali founded by them in 1968 is a trend setting institution that stands testament to their creative genius, contributing a new dimension to the tradition of Bharatanaatyam, inspiring a new generation of artists to be proud professionals of this performing art.

Through their national and international collaborations they ushered in new waves of global evaluation of a tradition previously confined to a religion and region. The couple has produced, composed and performed countless solos, duets and theatrical productions that have spanned art festivals and prestigious venues across the globe. The Dhananjayans have won numerous awards and accolades for their exemplary caliber as performers, choreographers, teachers and composers of music. Their long career of performance and teaching has earned them legendary status even in their lifetimes, and they are followed by a lineage of students holding the Bharata Kalanjali flag aloft.

“In step with tradition…ahead of their times…” is how art critics in India have acknowledged the Dhananjayan’s contribution to the contemporary Bharatanaatyam. They have made several extensions to the existing fundamental frame work and created new patterns of body movements, enhancing the visual aesthetic beauty while eschewing monotony in the traditional structure. It is an acknowledged fact that the Dhananjayans have been bold enough to pave ways for others by bringing fresh approaches in their presentations. They have also updated the choreographic structure of the traditional ‘Maargam’ and developed terminology to include more meaningful titles for pieces.

The Dhananjayans are not just brilliant artists but exemplary individuals who are true ambassadors of Indian Culture. An ideal couple with rare humility, that has been instrumental in nation building, stands by the ideals of “what they can do for a nation and never asked what the nation can do for them.”