Saji Menon

🪔 About

Saji Menon is a distinguished Indian classical dancer specializing in Mohiniyattam, born on May 29, 1979, in Palakkad, Kerala. Her early introduction to dance came at the tender age of five, guided by her father, Kalamandalam Shankar Narayan, a renowned Kathakali artist. Menon pursued her formal training at the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya in Mumbai, which she joined in 1996. There, she received direct tutelage from the eminent Mohiniyattam exponent and scholar, Padmashree and Padmabhushan Smt. Dr. Kanak Rele, who is also the founder and education director of the institution. Saji Menon holds a Master of Performing Arts degree with first-class distinction from Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya and continues her advanced training under Dr. Rele. Her career as a dance educator began with a tenure as a Junior Lecturer at Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya from 2003 to 2007. In 2002, she established her own institution, Kanakam Nritya Academy, in Mumbai, which is affiliated with the Nalanda Dance Research Centre. Through her academy, she actively imparts training to aspiring young dancers. Saji Menon has graced numerous prestigious stages across India and internationally. Her performances include lead roles in Nalanda Dance Research Centre productions such as 'Prithivi – Aanandinee' and 'Vithala Tujhe Charnee'. She has performed at significant events like the Nritya Pratibha of Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2005, the Khajuraho Dance Festival, and the 66th Indian Independence Celebration in Sri Lanka in 2012. Her contributions to Mohiniyattam have been recognized with several accolades, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi for 2013-2014. Awards & Honours: Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2013), Best Dancer Award, Yuva Nrutha Prathibha Award (2013).