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On dance as a
career, Dhananjayan says...
"Only a
fragment of the society
understands the value of
acquiring artistic talent.
Therefore the scope for
pursuing it as a career is
very limited. The situation is
improving and there is now a
lot of demand for dance
teachers. There are more
performers. Teaching is more
demanding than performing.
Most dance teachers who are
competent enough make a good
living.
Though there
are innumerable dancers,
professional performers are
few. To give a professional
performance is very
challenging and thorough
knowledge of the art, coupled
with a certain amount of
publicity would help one to be
a successful professional
dancer earning a comfortable
living."
AWARDS AND
DISTINCTIONS
Over a long
dancing career, the Dhananjayans
have received innumerable
National and International
awards and recognition.
Major Awards
at Home
 |
The
Mudhra Award of Excellence (instituted in memory of the late Gnanamba
and P. Obul Reddy) will be presented to V.P. Dhananjayan and Shanta
Dhananjayan on December 9, 2011 during the inauguration of Mudhra’s 16th Fine
Arts Festival. The Dhananjayans will give a performance.
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/article2677222.ece
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Chennai based VELS UNIVERSITY conferred a D.Litt Honorary
Doctorate Degree on V.P.Dhananjayan on 14th December 2011. Former
President Dr.Abdul Kalam was the chief guest on the second
convocation of the University when Dhananjayan received the
honour.
|
|
'SAMPARADAAYA
SIROMANI' AWARDS GIVEN BY DR.
G.V RAO
82nd birth day
commemorative honour to artistes of
Eminence. Presided by Dr.
Pappu Venugopal Rao.
Awarded to Veteran Music
composer Director M.S.
Viswanathan, Veteran
Actors (Stage & Films)
V.S.Raghavan,
A.R.Srinivasan and
Bharatanaatyam artistes
Shanta & Dhananjayan.
 SAMPARADAAYA SIROMANI AWARDS GIVEN BY DR. G.V RAO
Function held on 21st
August 2011 at Pethachi
Auditorium, Mylapore
followed by
Bharatakalaanjali's
"Nritya tarangini"
presentation. |
|
The
Dhananjayans were
honoured with Life Time
Achievement award by the
Kerala Circle Rotary
International on 12th
Feb 2011 at Kozhikkode
during the Rotary
International
Convention.
 Life Time Achievement award by the Kerala Circle Rotary International
 Life Time Achievement award by the Kerala Circle Rotary International
 Life Time Achievement award by the Kerala Circle Rotary International
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The G.D.Birla
Award instituted by the
Birla Academy of Arts
& Culture, were
presented to the Dhananjayans in New Delhi
on Monday the 21st June
210.
Details
&
Photos |
|
 Life Time Achievement award by the Kerala Circle Rotary International
 Life Time Achievement award by the Kerala Circle Rotary International
Delhi based
Sree Shanmukhananda
Sangeettha Sabha
honoured The
Dhananjayans with the
title and honour "NAATYA RATNA" on 26th
February 2010 on the
inauguration of their
60th year Art festival. |
|
 Life time achievement Award from Women Exclusive Magazine
The
Dhananjayans received
Life time achievement Award from Women
Exclusive Magazine on
21Jan 2010. |
|
Naatyaachaarya
Shanta and
V.P.Dhananjayan were
honoured and felicitated
for their immense
contribution to the
field of performing arts
and in particular
Bharatanaatyam by Narada
Gana Sabha's dance wing
NAATYARANGA. The 13th
Naatya Ranga Annual
Thematic Festival was
inaugurated on 27th
August at Gyanananda
Hall Alwarpet. Mr. V.
Shankar, President of
Mumbai Shanmughananda
Sabha and a business
magnate felicitated the
Dhananjayans and gave
away a gold medal,
citation and a cheque
for rupees ten
thousand. |
|
VP Dhananjayan
and Shantha Dhananjayan
were conferred with the
"GURU SRESHTA AWARD", in
recognition of their
contribution to Indian
classical dance, by the
Salangai Academy of
Indian Classical Arts in
Trichy on June 14, 2009. |
|
 Rathnaakara awards
Cleveland
Thyagaraja Aaraadhana
committee honored senior
artistes with their
annual "Rathnaakara"
awards. The
Dhannajayans received
Nritya Rathnaakara on
April 11, 2009.
They were presented the
traditional Veera
Sringhala (bracelets) by
Cleveland Sundaram &
Toronto Venkatraman. The
other awardees were
M.S.Gopalakrishnan
(violin maestro),
Parasala Ponnamma
(veteran Sangeeta
Aachaaryaa). |
|
Shanta
& Dhananjayan
decorated with the
honor PADMA BHUSHAN
The
Dhananjayans received
the Padma Bhushan Award
from President Pratibha
Patil at the civil
investiture ceremony at
Rashtrapati Bhavan in
New Delhi on March 31,
2009 for development,
preservation and
propagation of the best
of Kalakshetra tradition
of Bharatanatyam through
their dance academy
Bharatakalanjali.
A
THANK YOU NOTE FROM
THE DHANANJAYANS !!!
It is
with the utmost
humility and great
pride that we accept
this National award of
PADMABHUSHAN on the
occasion of the 60th
Republic day and we
thank the President of
India and all the
people responsible for
selecting us for this
coveted honour.
So
far all awards and
rewards came in
search of us and
this was also a bolt
from the blue and we
profusely thank our
Government,
especially the Home
Ministry. It proves
that the selection
process do go by
merit and
credibility.
Since
the award was
announced, we have
received
congratulatory notes
and messages from
numerous
connoisseurs,
well-wishers and
admirers from around
the world. We are
really touched by
their sincere
appreciation, and
the love and regards
they have in us. We
genuinely feel it is
their goodwill that
has kept us going
all this while and
thank every one of
them from the bottom
of our heart for
their greetings on
this joyous
occasion.
We
share the joy with
all our students,
our admirers all
over the globe and
dedicate this honour
to our alma mater,
Kalakshetra.
After
Smt.Rukminidevi -
the founder of
Kalakshetra and our
mentor in every
sense of the term -
we are the next ones
from Kalakshetra to
be honoured with
this high National
award. So
Kalakshetra can be
justifiably proud of
our achievement in
spreading the best
traditions we
inherited from this
temple of art.
We have
always been
convinced that we
stand in the shadows
of our Art
(Kaladevi) and all
the laurels and
glory go to that
divine profession
that we practice
namely
Bharatanaatyam.
While accepting this
award, we are
humbled by the
greatness of this
Art form and would
like to offer it at
the altar of our
learning -
Kalakshetra.
|
|
 Lalithakala Ratna
33rd National
Level Dance Drama
Festival in Memory of
Smt. Rukminidevi (
Founder Kalakshetra,
Chennai), organised by
Sri Lalithakala Academy
Foundation Mysore,
jointly cosponsored by
Swami Vivekananda Yoga
Anusandhana Samsthana
University (SVYASA
University Bengaluru)
honoured Shanta &
Dhananjayan with the
title and honour of "Lalithakala
Ratna".
Sri. BSS
Rao the Founder of SLAF
is the dynamic force
behind this organisation
which has been doing
yeoman service to our
ART AND CULTURE . |
|
In connection
with the Republic day
celebration "ANBU
PAALAM", A Tamizh
Magazine edited and
published by the great
Gandhian and
philanthropist Thiru.
P.KALYANA SUNDARAM
awarded the plaque of
honor and gold medal and honoured the
Dhananjayans with the
title of "LAKSHYA
DAMPATHIGAL" ( Ideal
couple),
recognizing the 40 years
of service to art &
culture by them through
their institution,
Bharatakalanjali.
|
|
Mysore Sri
Lalithakala Academy
Foundation Trust (Center
for performing arts)
honoured The
Dhananjayans with the
prestigious "Rukminidevi
Memorial Award" on
February 28, 2009. |
|
Padma
Sarangapani Ccultural
Academy honoured The
Dhananjayans with the
"Padma Saadhana Award" on
January 8, 2009. |
|
The
Dhananjayans received
the Award of Excellence
- Life time achievement
award from Kartik Fine
Arts on December 27,
2008 |
|
On
August 30, 2008, monthly
music journal
Naadhabrahmam honored
the Dhananjayans with
the "NATANA PRAKAASAM"
title at the Music
Academy, Chennai, for
their contribution to
art for over 60 years
and to mark 40 years of
their dance institution
Bharatakalaanjali. This
year also marks the 70th
birthday of guru V P
Dhananjayan. A special
edition of Naadhabrahmam
was released with focus
on the Dhananjayans. A
one hour film on the
Dhananjayans titled
Kalaa Saadhana directed
by Radhika Shurajit and
Churchill Pandian was
screened.
Photos |
|
 KALA-VIPANCHEE award
 KALA-VIPANCHEE award
"KALA-VIPANCHEE",
title
and honour was awarded
to Shanta &
Dhananjayan by Dr.
Balamuralikrishna
through the VIPANCHEE
Trust founded by
Smt.Saraswathi
Sundaresan. The
award function was held
on 31st December 07 at
R.K.Swamy Hall,
Mylapore. |
|
CENTER
FOR MUSIC & DANCE
(CMD) ESTD 1984,
Thiruvanathapuram
announced their 2007
"Kalanidhi award" and
honour to The
Dhananjayans
(Dhananjayan &
Shanta) - the
Bharatanaatyam couple of
Bhaarat.
The
Dhananjayans receiving
the citation and
insignia from Maharaja
Marthandavarma
Thamburan. The
others in the pictures
are Prof. Dr.Balamohan
Thambi, &
Subramaniyan
|
|
Lions club of
South Madras and Rasa (A
charitable organization)
jointly honoured Gurus
Sri VP Dhananjayan and
Shanta Dhananjayan with
the honor "ARTISTES OF
THE YEAR". The award and
felicitation function
was held on 4th January
07 (Thursday), 6.30 pm
at Bapalal Bhavan, 9,
1st Seaward Ave, Valmiki
Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur,
Chennai-41. |
|
BHARAT
KALACHAR has honored
Shanta & Dhananjayan
- the Bharatanaatyam
dance couple - with the
award and title
"VISWAKALA BHARATI" on
the inaugural day of
their annual December
Art festival,
2006. The award
carried a silver medal
and Rs.10000/- (Ten
thousand) cash. |
|
The
Dhananjayans were
honoured by the
International Dance
Alliance (IDA) on the
occasion of their 20th
anniversary celebrations
(Aug 2006). At a
function organised at
the Narada Gana Sabha,
they were presented with
mementoes and shawls by
Leela Sekar,
chairperson, IDA, and R.
Krishnaswami, sabha
secretary. The US
Council General Mr.
David Hopper presented
the award.
S. Sarada,
former head of Dance
Department, Kalakshetra
(sitting) greeting
Shantha Dhananjayan |
|
 title of SANGEETA KALA ACHAARYA
 title of SANGEETA KALA ACHAARYA
Bharatanatyam
guru V P Dhananjayan was
honored by the Madras
Music Academy at their
78th annual conference
and concerts, with the
title of SANGEETA KALA
ACHAARYA - 4th January
2005. |
|
 SWATI-RATNA title and award
The
Dhananjayans received
the prestigious
SWATI-RATNA title and
award instituted by the
Malayalee Club of
Madras, for their
outstanding
contributions to the
propagation of the
compositions of Maharaja
Swati Thirunal.
Eminent persons who have
been decorated earlier
with this coveted award
are stalwarts like
Semmangudi Srinivasa
Iyer, K.S. Narayanaswamy
(Veena), K.J.Yesudas,
K.R. Kumaraswamy Iyer
and P.Leela. - April
2004 |
|
Shanta
Dhananjayan received the
Kala-Sreshta puraskaar
from Kaladarpanam
publications, Cochi -
2nd october 2003. |
|
Diamond
Jubilee Award for
Excellence Nrityodaya,
Chennai at Dr. Padma
Subramanian’s golden
jubilee commemorative
function - 5th July
2003. |
|
Dr. Raja Sir
Annamalai Chettiar Award
for excellence in Fine
Arts (Rs.50,000/- cash
award and silver
casket contating
citiation) for the year
2002 was presented in
Chennai by Union
Minister for Law
Hon.Sri. K.Jana
Krishnamurthy - 12th
October 2002. |
|
Honour and
felicitations at the
Silverjubilee
celebrations,
Nrittanjali School of
Dance , Perumbavoor -
25th May 2002. |
|
Todayam
(Kathakali club) 10th
Anniversary Celebration
Committee honoured and
felicited the
Dhananjayans - 19th May,
2002. |
|
Honour and
felicitation by Sarada
Krishnayyar Trust and
Fine Arts Society,
Telicherry to the
Dhananjayans - 15th May
2002. |
|
Honour from
Bharat Integration
Committee in association
with Telugu Academy
(Madras) - October
2001. |
|
Kaladarpana, a
prestigious and popular
Kerala Art magazine
(Malayalam) has
conferred on
V.P.Dhananjayan the
coveted award
Kala-Sreshta after an
opinion poll taken among
many artists,
connoisseurs and readers
of the magazine. This
title and citation were
conferred on him in
Ernakulam - 2nd October
2001. |
|
Prathibha
Pranaam, Kerala
Government’s Manaviyam
honour (received along
with Nelson Mandela,
South Africa) - March
2001. |
|
Natyajyothi
from
Kapali Fine Arts chennai
- January 2001 |
|
Nritya Ratna
Award from Bhaarateeya
Vidya Bhavan, Coimbatore
Kendra - October 2000 |
|
BHARATAKALAA
SAAGARA Award, given by
Smt. Sudharani
Raghupathi's
Bharatalaya. Awarded by
actor Shivaji Ganesan -
October 18, 1997 |
|
Kerala
Samajam’s Kalavedhi
Award, Chennai -1997 |
|
Prathiba
Pranamam Award by Govt
of Kerala - 1997 |
|
Nritya
Choodamani Award to
Shanta from Sri Krishna
Gana Sabha -1995 |
|
Kalaimamani
Award to Shanta from
Eyal Isai Nataka
Mandram, Tamilnadu Govt.
- November 22, 1995 |
|
Sangeet Natak
Akademi (Presidential
Award) -1994 |
|
Kerala
Sangeeta Nataka Academy
Fellowship -1993 |
|
Kalaimamani
Award to Dhananjayan
from Eyal Isai Nataka
Mandram, Tamilnadu Govt.
-1990 |
|
Haridas
Sammelan Sursingar
Sansad Mumbai
"Nrityavillas" Award
-1989 |
|
Nritya
Choodamani Award for
Dhananjayan from Sri
Krishna Gana Sabha - Dec
17, 1983 |
|
Scroll of
Honour Arts and Crafts
Magazine, New Delhi
awarded by then Vice
President Hon. Sri. K R
Narayanan |
|
Stree Ratna by
Bharata Vidya Bhavan,
Chennai and Dr.Padma
Subrahmanyam’s
Nrityodaya, Chennai, to
Shanta for dance |
Important
Overseas Awards
|
Cleveland
Thyagaraja Aaraadhana
committee honored senior
artistes with their
annual 'Rathnaakara'
awards. The
Dhannajayans received Nritya
Rathnaakara on
April 11, 2009.
They were presented the
traditional Veera
Sringhala (bracelets) by
Cleveland Sundaram &
Toronto
Venkatraman. |
|
On October 12,
2008, India Fine
Arts-Austin (USA) (IFA)
honoured and awarded the
title of "Nritya
Saamsraat" to
Dhananjayan and "Nritya
Saagara" to Shanta
Dhananjayan recognizing
their contribution to
the preservation,
popularization and
propogation of Indian
Arts and culture in
North America for the
last four decades. |
|
Swami
Asokananda (President)
and Swami Karunananda
(Vice-President)
conferred the
distinguished honors of
Integral Yoga
International’s Lifetime
Achievement Award and
the title of “Satchidananda
Natya Choodamani”
upon the legendary
Bharata Natyam couple of
Chennai, Sri V.P. and
Smt. Shanta Dhanajayan
on the occasion of the
20th anniversary of the
Natya Adyayana Gurukulam
of the Fine Arts Society
of Yogaville.
 
The award and
title were conferred
upon The Dhananjayans in
recognition of a
lifetime as exemplars of
the ideals of
Discipline, Devotion and
Dedication; for serving
as cultural ambassadors
from Bharata Varsha to
the U.S.A. and
throughout the world as
masters of the spiritual
art form of Bharata
Natyam; and as
outstanding artistes and
educators planting seeds
of inspiration, culture
and hope for future
generations.” |
|
SURPRISE
HONOR
AND WORLD PEACE AWARD
FROM SWAMI
SRI.CHINMOY
(CHINMOY WORLD PEACE
FOUNDATION)
 HONOR AND WORLD PEACE AWARD FROM CHINMOY WORLD PEACE FOUNDATION  HONOR AND WORLD PEACE AWARD FROM CHINMOY WORLD PEACE FOUNDATION
The award
carries an insignia and
medal. Swamijee's
blessing is bestowed on
specially selected few
by lifting
them.
(Swamijee is
internationally famous
for using his Yogic
power of concentration
to lift any weight,
including aeroplanes and
elephants). He very
casually lifted both of
us jointly weighing 300
pounds. |
|
The
Dhananjayans were
honoured and felicitated
by the Indian
Association of San
Antonio and Natyanjali
Festival 06 San Antonio
(USA) with the title and
honour of NATYAACHARYA
on November 11, 2006 at
Carver Centre for
Performing Arts. |
|
American
Association of Indian
Dance jointly with Arti
School of Indian dance,
San Antonio (USA
instituted an annual
award and honour for an
overseas artist who has
contributed to the over
all development and
propagation of Indian
classical performing
arts and culture in
North
America.
The
first award was given
to V.P.Dhananjayan and
Shanta Dhananjayan
(The Dhananjayans of
Chennai) for their
life time contribution
to the Indian dance in
the USA. This
surprise announcement
was made on the
inaugural of the three
days National Asian
Indian Dance
Convention 2003 held
in San Antonio on 18,
19 and 20th July 2003
at the UTSA recital
Hall of the University
of Texas. Mr.
Dhananjayan received
this prestigious and
glorious award from
Smt.Chitra
Visweswaran, while the
selected
invitees
gathered in the hall,
gave standing ovation
and cheered them with
loud applause. A
beautifully designed
crystal plaque reads
thus:
"This
NATYA award - a
life time
contribution to
Indian dance in
USA by an overseas
person
presented to
V.P.Dhananjayan
and Shanta
Dhananjayan,
Bharatakalanjali,
Chennai on 18th
July 2003."
|
|
Life
Magazine Achievement
Award (Ohio State
Academy Award) - 1997.
Best
Theatrical Production of
the year '96-97 for
Jungle Book dance
choreography to Ohio
Ballet Company. |
|
Plaque of
Honour awarded by the
Governor of Ohio State
for excellent Community
Service and
International
Understanding through
Art –1996. |
|
Munshi
Centenary Commemorative
Award, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, London UK -
1988. |
|
UNESCO Paris,
Medallion De Merit
-1984. |
|
‘Natya
Ratnakara' by The India
Fine Arts in Austin,
Texas. |
The important
positions held by V P
Dhananjayan
|
Central
Sangeet Natak Akademi -
General Council Member
for five years. |
|
General
council member Tamilnadu
Eyal Isai Nataka
Mandram. |
|
Executive
members
of the Institute of
Traditional South East
Asian Studies, University
of Madras. |
|
Member
of the Selection Board
Committee, Khairaghad
University, Madhya
Pradesh. |
|
Founder
and Hon Secretary for
the Association of
Bharatanatyam Artists of
India
(ABHAI). |
|
President of
Abhai for two terms. |
|
Executive
member of Bharatiya
Vidya Bhavan, Chennai
Kendra. |
|
Member of the
Selection Board,
University of Hyderabad. |
|
Executive
member of the Calicut
University, Performing
Arts Faculty. |
|
Board member
of the Annamalai
University, Chidambaram,
Fine Arts wing. |
|
|
|
Shanta
Dhananjayan is one
of Trustee members of
the Sitar maestro
Pt.Ravi Shankar
Center for Performing
Arts, New Delhi. |
|
|
|
The
Dhananjayans are
Patrons and serve in the
advisory committee of
several cultural
organizations in the
country. |
- Photo
Album
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