Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Dancing to different tunes

COMMITED Unassuming couple PHOTOS:R.M. RAJARATHINAM, R.SHIVAJI RAO

Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan and his wife Shanta have been cultural ambassadors for decades. The legendary Bharatanatyam dancers indeed have a heavy socially responsible side.

“We believe an artiste needs to be socially inclined. Also, I had been taught the importance of cleanliness, social welfare and environmental care in my childhood. It has sunk deep in my mind,” Dhananjayan says.

Even in his book, ‘Beyond Performing Arts and Culture’ he has been outspoken on various social issues including the role of artistes in bringing about social change. Shanta describes her husband as a “fierce crusader of anti-smoking and anti-alcoholism.”

“He has been advocating it for a very long time now. We feel it is a societal problem as many adolescents are easily lured by such habits.”

Apart from imparting quality education in Bharatanatyam at their school, Bharata Kalanjali, the Dhananjayans strive to make the students socially conscious and responsible citizens.

“It is a crucial part of our training. We stress on the 3Ds – discipline, devotion and dedication. For the youngsters it is important to follow these to reach greater heights in life,” they assert.

The Dhananjayans began their teaching career at their alma mater – the world renowned Kalakshetra before establishing Bharata Kalanjali in 1968. They also set up a Gurukulam camp at the Satchidananda Ashram, Yoga Ville, Virginia, USA.

“It is a residential camp and aims to spread awareness of Indian culture and values to American born Indian children and also helping students from different parts of the globe to understand the values of Indian art and culture, philosophy, the significance of Indian mythology and characters of immortal Indian epics,” he explains.

The couple is of the view that Bharatanatyam should not be confined to students of a particular section of the society. They impart training to many children from the slums and orphanages at their school.

“There is talent everywhere. It is only a question of identifying and nurturing them. Many students from orphanages and slums have excelled and earned livelihood from dance,” they say.

For all their achievements in an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, the couple remain modest and down to earth.

Awards and accolades are nothing new to the Dhananjayans. But for them, the ‘Padma Bhushan,’ the third highest civilian award in the country, which they received recently for their contribution to Bharatanatyam, is something unique and very prestigious.

“Congratulatory messages poured in from various parts of the globe after the news spread that we have been selected for the award. To receive the award from the country’s President at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in the presence of dignitaries was the greatest honour,” Dhananjayan says.

Over the years, they have regaled audiences with their performances on stage.

What about silver screen? “I got lot of offers from the tinsel town in the 70s and 80s. Though I declined many, I accepted a few. I am basically a perfectionist and wanted time to choreograph songs. But people in the industry weren’t willing to give me the time I required for choreography and also I didn’t want to compromise,” he details.

However Dhananjayan presented ‘Nandanar Charithram’ in a Tamil movie ‘Kan Sivandhal Man Sivakkum.’

Their second son C.P. Satyajit has enjoyed fair bit of success through the flick ‘Mudal Mudal Mudal Varai’ (M3V). Satyajit played hero in the movie, directed by debutant Krishnan Seshadri Gomatham. The movie won the Best Feature Film International (Drama) in the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival recently. Also a well-trained classical dancer, Satyajit is more into automobile photography.

“His main interest has always been photography and he is making a mark in the chosen field. He is a creative person and photography suits him very well,” Shanta feels.

While Dhananjayan says that he has little time to pursue other interests, with teaching and writing being the preferred choices, Shanta enjoys home décor. “Also she is very good in the kitchen. The ‘vendhaya sambhar,’ which she did in one of the TV programmes proved a big hit among the people. But my all time favourite is the ‘rasam’ that Shanta prepares,” he chuckles.

Dhananjayan then shares about his pet project. “After ‘Natya Sastra,’ there has been no record of the growth in the field. Lot of evolution has taken place and the future generations need to know them. I want to create inscriptions since the work has to remain forever. It is a very ambitious project and a laborious one too. My plan is to complete it in 10 years time,” he smiles.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail