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The Dhananjayans gave a soul stirring "Bhaktimaaragam" performance for a full complement of Rasikas at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, New Jersey on 2nd November 08 and brought tears to the eyes of the audience who gave a five minutes standing ovation. The audience also pleaded with the Dhananjayans to return, calling this the “last” in the FIRST farewell tour! The Dhanajayans obliged by performing two more items requested by the connoisseurs of CMANA members -- The Pregnant Deer and Varugalamo Ayya..

NAADHABRAHMAM a bi-lingual musical monthly and Music Sabha launched the three in one event. 60 years on the center stage (Dhananjayan entered the center stage in his 5th year as a child actor, singing and acting in the role of a child hero in the Malayalam Sangeeta Naatakam, titled 'Balagopalan'), 40 years of founding BHARATAKALANJALI (1968) and Dhananjayan at 70. 
So 60 + 40 = 70. 

On 30th August at 5.30pm, a galaxy of great personalities from different walks of life who have been admirers and well wishers of the Dhananjayans, adorned the Madras Music Academy precinct. Felicitations to the doyen of Bharatanaatyam commenced with a DVD presentation prepared by Radhika Shurjit (the senior most alumni of Bharatakalanjali) preceded by a Swaagata Nritta (Welcome dance) by 40 children (representing 40 years of Bharatakalanjali) from different schools run by Bharatakalanjali alumna and 'Nritya-Tarangini' presented by the senior disciples of the Dhananjayans. 

Naadhabrahmam Magazine brought out a special issue on V P Dhananjayan with pictures spanning 50 to 60 years of his dance career and articles by well known people and others who have been associated with him for years. This issue was released and distributed free of cost on the day of the function. 
Photos

This film was first presented on 30th at Music Academy and both the film and the producer received accolades from viewers. The DVD will be formally released on the inaugural day of Bharat Kalachar December Art Festival on 12th December, 2008. 

The DVD will be also be available during the fall tour of The Dhananjayans in the USA & UK. For more details kindly contact bkalanjali@gmail.com or spcherub@gmail.com. 
Note: This is not a commercial release.

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. These distinguished artistes have been conducting the Gurukulam each summer in U.S.A. since 1989. Children from around the country take part in the Gurukulam in which they receive training in the classical Bharata Natyam system along with the “3Ds” (discipline, devotion and dedication) imparted by His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidananda, founder of IY International.  The award and title were conferred upon The Dhananjayans: “In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Natya Adyayana Gurukulam of the Fine Arts Society of Yogaville and 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.”  Other awards conferred the same evening were to Fine Arts Society founder Mrs. Rukmini Rasiah who received the Integral Yoga International Lifetime Achievement Award and title of “Guru Seva Ratna” (her grand son Kannan received it on her behalf ) as well as Mrs. Padmarani Rasiah Cantu, Natya director of the Fine Arts Society. Mrs. Rasiah Cantu received the Integral Yoga International Award of Excellence and title of “Satchidananda Kala Ratna.”