"Each production has a story behind it. Not just the production alone, but why it was created. We were lucky that we got the opportunities. We did not have to go and look for it. Added to that was the confidence we had in our work and ourselves."

The Dhananjayans have seminally contributed towards expanding the language of dance through performance, choreography and teaching in India and abroad. For Dhananjayan, any presentation on stage should first and foremost be communicative. He believes that it can reach the spectators’ hearts through the emotional content etched out on the facial expressions, combining it with technical body language.

The outstanding performances and fine style of the Dhananjayans were built on the solid classical foundation laid by Kalakshetra, known for its stern discipline and rigorous austerity. The success of this ‘made for each other’ duo can be attributed to their ability to add a new dimension to their presentation of art combining choreographic talent with an attractive display of rare quality of innovative and artistic creation, together with the aesthetics of classical tradition in its pristine glory and purity.

Bharata Kalanjali has produced more than thirty dance productions, winning high praise and acclaim in the International art scene. They work on different themes, some of which culminate into dance dramas. Their productions are multilingual and the greatest care is taken regarding the sahitya, music, makeup and décor.

The western culture may be ignorant of Indian culture, but they are receptive to new ideas. This prompted the Dhananjayans to present their innovative ideas with enthusiasm. While performing abroad, the Dhananjayans usually stage dance dramas based on stories that a western audience is familiar with, such as the Jungle Book.

Their frequent tours abroad since 1970 and performances, lec/dems and workshops for various foreign universities and organizations, were trendsetters for others to emulate good standards and professionalism. The Dhananjayans have collaborated with National and International choreographers and Institutes to produce monumental theatrical ventures, which have won them many prestigious National and International Awards. They have collaborated with world-renowned sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar, and New York dancer Jacques D'Amboise, among others. They have been invited to perform at the India Festival in the Soviet Union and at the Birmingham Touring Opera House of England.

While Bharatanaatyam forms the quintessence of their recitals, the Dhananjayans have a penchant for innovation. The Ramayana production with neutral costumes, Kathakali performance without traditional costumes and the highly acclaimed Adventures of Mowgli are trail blazers.

The Dhananjayans have served four times as faculty members of the Semester at Sea program affiliated to the University of Pittsburgh. Every year, the Dhananjayans conduct the annual Natya Adyayana Gurukulam (Summer dance camp) organized by the Fine Arts Society of Yogaville, Virginia, USA.

The Dhananjayans have been sent abroad by the Government of India on several occasions to represent Indian dance on prestigious occasions like the Festival of Indian Arts in USSR. They have danced all over the world except Latin America.


Major International Dance Collaborations / Tours


International Young Performers Tour (2007)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

Creative Connections presented twelve talented 12 to18 year-old Indian dancers from the Dhananjayans' Bharata Kalanjali Academy to the Tri-State area (CT, NY and NJ, USA) from October 26 - November 11, 2007. With their colorful costumes and jewelry, beautiful music, and vibrant dancing, the troupe transported audiences to their homeland of India, a land rich in culture and traditions.

Alchemy of opposites (2007)
Details - Photo Album

Alchemy of Opposites, a Pan-Asian theme is a choreography of the Dhananjayans, a collaboration with Alapana, Singapore. Dhananjayan has carefully crafted a traditional choreography and clothed it in a contemporary outfit. Lavanya premiered this thematic production for Kalaa Utsavam, held by the Esplanade, Singapore on 18th Nov 2007.


Mahaabhaaratam (1998)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

This dance drama was jointly produced by French Theatre Fluerry & Association Vaani in Reunion in 1998 and was performed in 28 cities in USA in 1999.


Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1998)
Details - Photo Album

Satyam Sivam Sundaram was staged to celebrate the Tenth Annual Natya Adyayana Gurukulam organised by The Fine Arts Society of Yogaville. This production was inspired by the teachings of Poojyashree Sachidanandaswamiji.


Jungle Book (1995 - 97)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

A joint venture of Ohio Ballet Co., Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland Cultural Alliance, Heinz Poll, Director, Ohio Ballet, and V P Dhananjayan, Director, Bharata Kalanjali jointly choreographed this 90-minute production.


Sitaa Raama Kathaa / Raamanaatakam (1993)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

With Singapore India Fine Arts Society, it was choreographed for International Art Festival of Government of Singapore in1986. Music composed by Turaiyur Rajagopala Sharma.


Chakra (1991)
Details - Photo Album

Chakra, on the philosophy of life staged in NY was a mammoth production with 1000 school children of various nationalities participating in it. A production of the National Dance Institute, New York, it was directed by famous choreographer Jacques D’Amboise.


Ghanashyaam (1989/90)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

Dhananjayan choreographed Pt. Ravishankar’s Magnum Opus on drug abuse. It is a fusion of music, dance, mime and opera. A unique production commissioned by Birmingham Touring opera house U K.


Return of Spring (Kumaarasambhavam) (1986)
Details
A production by the Academy of Indian dance in London was choreographed by Dhananjayan, which saw classical theme in a contemporary vein of presentation. Music by Vidwan T V Gopalakrishnan.


Jungle Book - Adventures of Mowgli (1984)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

Rudyard Kipling’s Indian Jungle story retold in dance and mime, choreographed by Dhananjayan for Academy of Indian Dance in London, is a contemporary presentation with innovative and creative movements deployed to bring in the beauty of Nature. Music: Pt. Vijayaraghava Rao.


Sanghamitra (1981)
Details - Reviews - Photo Album

Dance drama choreographed with Singapore artistes for International Art Festival of Government of Singapore.


Floating University - Semester At Sea (1979-82)
Details
The Dhananjayans have served four times as honorary members of the faculty for The Institute for Shipboard Education’s Semester-at-Sea Program.


Art In Education Conference of N Y State Education Dept (1976)
Details - Reviews
The Dhananjayans were invited to participate in the ‘Towards Harmonising Education’ annual conference of New York State University, a rare privilege extended only to top dancers. The trip included a 4-month tour of the New York State education centers from elementary schools to university level.


Festival of Indian Arts in Paris (1973)
Details - Reviews
Dhananjayans performed in the Bharatanaatyam category for the mega tour of France in 1973 with one month of performances, 6 days a week at the prestigious Theatre De La Ville in Paris.