ARTICLES
Dance
The Dhananjayans
From "A Dancer on Dance" written by V.P. Dhananjayan, published by Bharata Kalanjali
Sri
V.P.Dhananjayan and wife Shanta Dhananjayan, popularly known as the Dhananjayans
have become legendary dancing couple of India in their own life time. Both
disciples of the legendary Rukminidevi of Kalakshetra, having established
their own Academy , Bharatakalanjali, have become International celebrity.
They have received innumerable National and International awards and recognition,
including the Central Sangeet Natak Academy Award, otherwise known as the
Presidential Award and the Padma Bhushan.
Bharatakalanjali,
since it's founding in 1968, has trained number of students who have established
themselves in different parts of the world. Bharatakalanjali has produced
more than thirty dance productions, winning high praise and acclaim in
the International art scene. The Dhananjayans have collaborated with National
and International choreographers and Institutes to produce monumental theatrical
ventures, which have won them many prestigious National and International
Awards.
A short
Resume of V.P. Dhananjayan & Shanta Dhananjayan
V.P.Dhananjayan
| Name - Vannadil
Pudiyaveetil Dhananjayan |
| Date of birth - 30th April
1939 |
| Place of birth - Payyanur,
Kerala |
| Joined Kalakshetra - 5th October
1953 |
| Educational
Qualification - B.A. Economics |
| Professional
Qualification - Post Graduate
Diploma in Dance
(Bharatanatyam
& Kathakali) with distinction
from Kalakshetra,
Madras. Leading Male dancer
under Smt.Rukminidevi
(Founder, Kalakshetra)
from 1955
to 1967 |
Shanta
Dhananjayan
| Date
of birth - 12th
August 1943 |
| Joined Kalakshetra - June 1952 |
| Educational
Qualification - Matriculation |
| Professional
Qualification - Post Graduate
Diploma with distinction
from Kalakshetra,
Madras. Leading female dancer
in Kalakshetra
since 1955 till 1968. |
Served as student,
performing artistes & teacher in the Dance and Academic Faculty in
Kalakshetra. Started own Academy Bharatakalanjali in Madras in 1968. Now,
a premier Dance & Music Institution in India with over 300 students
at present.
MAJOR
AWARDS AT HOME
Padma Bhushan Award 2009
Sangeet Natak
Academy (Presidential Award) 1994
Kerala Sangeeta
Nataka Academy Fellowship 1993
Kalaimamani
Award from Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, TN Govt. 1990
Nritya Choodamani
Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha 1983
Haridas Sammelan
Sursingar Sansad Mumbai "Nrityavillas" Award 1989
Scroll of
Honour Arts and Crafts Magazine, New Delhi awarded by then Vice President
Hon. Sri.K.R.Narayanan
(There are
several other prestigious cash awards, titles and honours)
VERY
IMPORTANT OVERSEAS AWARDS
* Live Magazine
Achievement Award (Ohio State Academy Award) 1997 (for the best Theatrical
Production of the year '96-97 for jungle book dance choreography for Ohio
Ballet Company)
* Plaque of
Honour awarded by the Governor of Ohio State for excellent Community Service
and International Understanding through Art 1996
* Munshi Centenary
Commemorative Award, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London UK 1988
* UNESCO Paris,
Medallion De Merit 1984
MAJOR
INTERNATIONAL DANCE PRODUCTIONS
* Pt. Ravishankar's
Magnum Opus "GHANASHYAM" 1989/90
* National
Dance Institute, New York "CHAKRA", with a cast of 1,000 multinational
children
* A joint
venture of Ohio Ballet Co., Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland Cultural
Alliance - Jungle Book Ballet
* Choreographer
for International Art Festival of Government of Singapore, "Sita Rama Katha"
1986
* In the same
Festival, choreographed dance drama "Sanghamitra" with Singapore Artistes
1994
* Mahaabhaaratham
dance drama jointly produced by French Theatre Fluerry & Association
Vaani in Reunion French Island 1998
The Dhananjayans received the Padma Bhushan Award from President Pratibha Patil at the civil investiture
ceremony at 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.
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