The Dhananjayans received the Kerala goverment's NISHAGANDHI PURASKAR on 20th January 2018 at Nishagandhi auditorium, Kanakakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram. It included a citation, Bharatamuni plaque and a cash prize of Rs.1.5 lakhs. Kerala Governor HE Justice Sadasivam gave away the award.

To commemorate the event of The Dhananjayans receiving the coveted 'Nishagandhi Puraskaar from the Government of Kerala, a well known Kerala Artist (sculptor) Deepak Krishnan made a sand sculpture  of the Naatya couple on the Shankhumukham beach,Thiruvanathapuram on Saturday 20th January.  This dancing couple's sculpture was a a huge attraction for the tourists and regular beach watchers and media photographers. The Dhananjayans also visited the spot. In this picture we can see the couple watching their own sculpture in dancing pose. Media photo shooters made the couple to do few dance poses beside the sand sculpture.