V.P. Dhananjayan
Bharatanatyam Performer • Teacher
71+
Years of Experience
2+
Students Taught
1
Followers
About
Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan, born on April 30, 1939, in Payyanur, Kannur District, Kerala, India, is a highly esteemed figure in Indian classical dance, renowned for his mastery in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali. He was brought to Kalakshetra, Chennai, at the age of 13, joining on October 5, 1953, and was initiated into Kathakali and Bharatanatyam on…
Journey Timeline
1939
Born in Payyanur, Kerala
1953
Joined Kalakshetra and initiated into Kathakali and Bharatanatyam
1955
Began serving as a leading male dancer and teacher at Kalakshetra
1968
Co-founded Bharata Kalanjali in Chennai with Shanta Dhananjayan
1988
Began conducting annual summer gurukulam camp at Yogaville, USA
1989
Choreographed Pt. Ravi Shankar's "Ghanashyam"
1994
Received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
2009
Received Padma Bhushan
2011
Awarded honorary Doctorate by Vel's University
2025
Received Guru Gopinath National Drama Award
Photo Gallery
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Video Library
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Signature Performances
Signature repertoire pieces will be showcased here.
Performance Map
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Awards & Honors
- 2009 · Padma Bhushan — Government of India
- 1994 · Sangeet Natak Akademi Award — Government of India
- 1990 · Kalaimamani — Government of Tamil Nadu
- 1983 · Nritya Choodamani — Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai
- 1993 · Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship — Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2005 · Sangeeta Kala Acharya — Madras Music Academy
- 2009 · Nritya Rathnakara — Cleveland Aradhana, USA
- 2001 · Kala-Sreshta — Kaladarpana magazine
- 2009 · Guru Sreshta Award — Salangai Academy of Indian Classical Arts, Trichy
- 2019 · Keraleeya Nritya Natya Puraskaram — Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi
- 2020 · Sangeetha Kala Vibhushan — Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai
- 2025 · Guru Gopinath National Drama Award
- 2011 · Honorary Doctorate — Vel's University, Chennai
- 2010 · GD Birla International recognition for outstanding contribution to Bhaarateeya (Indian) Art & culture
- World Peace Award — Chinmoy Foundation of USA
Media Coverage
- Profiles - THE DHANANJAYANS
Narthaki
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