A. Janardhanan

🪔 About

Aryambath Janardhanan, a renowned exponent of Indian classical dance, was born on April 25, 1942, in Kerala, India. His profound association with Kalakshetra commenced in 1958 and spanned an uninterrupted 47 years. He received rigorous training in Kathakali from his father, Guru T. K. Chandu Panicker, who was a student of Icchara Menon in the Kallarikoda tradition of North Kerala. Janardhanan further honed his Kathakali skills under the tutelage of the esteemed Guru Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, supported by a two-year Government of India scholarship. He earned his Post Diploma in Kathakali with distinction in 1966. Concurrently, he also received training in classical Bharatanatyam under the legendary Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale. Throughout his extensive career at Kalakshetra, Janardhanan served in multiple capacities: as a dedicated student, a principal dancer in numerous Kalakshetra productions directed by Rukmini Devi, and a respected faculty member teaching both Kathakali and Bharatanatyam. He essayed almost all major lead roles in the Kalakshetra repertoire, including iconic portrayals such as Rama in Ramayana, Buddha in Buddha Avataram, and Bheema in Damayanti Swayamvaram. He also toured internationally with the Kalakshetra troupe, performing across Western and Eastern Europe, Nepal, Australia, Sri Lanka, Russia, and China, and assisted Rukmini Devi at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow in 1981. From June 2001 to May 2003, he served as the Principal of the Rukmini College of Fine Arts, eventually retiring as Professor Emeritus at the age of 62. Post-retirement, he was invited back to Kalakshetra to revive some of Rukmini Devi's dance dramas. He has also choreographed dance dramas such as "Karna Sapatham" (Malayalam) and "Sri Purandara" (Kannada) for Kalakshetra, and "Sri Krishna Jananam" for Bharatakalanjali of the Dhananjayans. Awards & Honours: Acharya Choodamani (2013), Pravasi Kalasree (2013), Natyarangam Award (2012), Kala Pratibha Puraskar (2006), Natana Bhaskara (2003), Bharatha Kala Sagara (2002), Gold medal from Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti.