Ranjani Menon

🪔 About

Ranjani Menon is a distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher, deeply rooted in the revered Thanjavur Balasaraswati tradition. She received her initial training and was guided by the legendary T. Balasaraswati until her arangetram. Following Balasaraswati's passing, Menon continued her rigorous training under Balasaraswati's daughter, Smt. Lakshmi Knight. Her education in Bharatanatyam was further enriched by studying with Balasaraswati's senior disciples, including Sri. T. Ramiah, Smt. Shyamala, and Smt. Nandini Ramani. In addition to her dance training, Ranjani Menon also undertook studies in Nattuvangam under the tutelage of Sri Seetharama Sharma. Menon has dedicated over a decade to teaching Bharatanatyam in Hong Kong, where she has significantly contributed to the propagation of Indian classical dance. She is a co-founder of the Sri Shakti Academy in Hong Kong, an institution committed to promoting and nurturing Indian classical dance forms. At the academy, she conducts regular classes, training more than fifty students, with at least three having successfully completed their Rang Pravesh (debut performance). The Sri Shakti Academy organizes annual performances to offer students a platform to showcase their talents, and students also have the opportunity to appear for formal examinations affiliated with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Sangeet and Nartan Shikshapeeth, Mumbai. Beyond the academy, Ranjani Menon has also taught Indian classical and folk dance at a local Chinese school and frequently conducted lecture demonstrations and workshops, actively engaging in the creative and practical aspects of dance.