Shanta Dhananjayan

🪔 About

Shanta Dhananjayan, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and guru, was born on August 12, 1943, in Malaysia to a Malayali family with ancestral roots in Kerala. Recognized as a child prodigy, her parents decided to send her to India for her dance education. She joined the esteemed Kalakshetra in Chennai in June 1952 at the age of eight. There, she pursued rigorous training, graduating with a Post Graduate Diploma with distinction in Bharatanatyam. Her education at Kalakshetra also included Kathakali and Carnatic music. From 1955 to 1968, Shanta Dhananjayan was a leading female dancer at Kalakshetra, performing in numerous productions. In 1966, she married V.P. Dhananjayan at the Guruvayoor Temple in Kerala. Together, they became one of India's legendary dancing couples, known as "the Dhananjayans." In 1968, they co-founded Bharata Kalanjali in Chennai, an institution that has since become one of India's most respected academies for Bharatanatyam. Bharata Kalanjali, located in Adyar, Chennai, offers comprehensive training in Bharatanatyam, including theory classes, and also imparts instruction in Carnatic vocal and instrumental music. The academy is celebrated for integrating Natyam with cultural values and discipline, nurturing well-rounded artists. Shanta Dhananjayan, along with her husband, has been instrumental in shaping generations of artists, adhering to the strict classicism of the Kalakshetra style while also exploring new themes without compromising tradition. Through Bharata Kalanjali, she has trained numerous dancers and musicians who have established themselves globally. The couple has travelled extensively worldwide, contributing significantly to the propagation and preservation of Indian art and culture in its pristine purity. Their dedication and contributions have earned them numerous national and international accolades. Awards & Honours: Padma Bhushan (2009), Nritya Rathnakara (2009), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1994), Kalaimamani Award (1990), Nritya Choodamani (1983), Lifetime Achievement Award by Raindrops Cultural Association (2019), Guru Sreshta Award by Salangai Academy of Indian Classical Arts (2009), Keraleeya Nritya Natya Puraskaram (2019), Naatya Selvam award from Muthamizh Peravai Arakattalai (2022), Nritya Kalanidhi (2019), Rashtriya Kalidas Samman (2020).