The Dhananjayans honoured in South Africa
On the occasion of the Saadhana festival of Naatya under the auspices of NAATYA-ANANDA of Verushka Pather (March 12th to 16th) V.P. & Shanta Dhananjayan presented Bharatanaatyam - Bhakti-Maargam in Durban and Johannesburg (South Africa). Dr.Anita Shanmukhanathan and Verushka Pather also performed along with The Dhananjayans with live orchestra lead by Vanathi Raghuraman (vocal) Rameshbabu (mridamgam) and local violinist Mr.Kesavan Manikkam.On the occasion, the age-old SOUTH AFRICAN HINDU MAHA SABHA honoured The Dhananjayans with a lifetime achievement plaque of honour. The citation plaque reads "The South African Hindu Maha Sabha honours Shri V.P.Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan for their sterling contribution to classical dance" presented by the President of SAHMS, Mr.Ashwin Trikamjee. (on 12th March 2010)
Indian Consulate in Durban hosted a reception in honour of The Dhananjayans and the CG Shri. Anil K Sharan felicitated the couple. Dhananjayan gave a short lecture demonstration and yielding to the request of the audience, he also performed extempore, an expressive pregnant dear story.
On the second day of the Saadhana festival (13th March), Dr.T.P.Naidoo awarded yet another honour on behalf of The Indian Community of South Africa, Indian Academy of S.A and Natya Ananda Fine Arts Academy.
Both the performances in Durban were held in the most prestigious venue The Izulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino.
The Consul General of India Mr.Vikram Doraiswamy inaugurated the Johannesburg festival and felicitated Naatya Ananda and Verushka for her passionate endeavour in promoting Indian performing and culture in SA. The performance was held in the Wits University auditorium- "The Great Hall".
The high light of the festival series was at the SA Sabarimala Shree Ayyappa Kshetram amphitheatre located in a very beautiful place. A large number of the Ayyappa devotees congregated at the far-off venue created by an ardent devotee of Ayyappaswamy, Dr. Rajasekharan Kolapen.
Apart from these four performances the Dhannajayans with Dr.Anita Shanmukhanathan, conducted Bharatanaatyam intensive workshops for the benefit of the interested full complement of students from different Bharatanaatyam schools who attended with much enthusiasm.
Response
"............. Thank you so much for making the time available to share your wonderful art with us. At a time when the entire world seems to be completely absorbed by consumerism and materialism, it is absolutely refreshing to meet gentle souls such as you. If anything, you have been able to impart that it IS possible to transcend the mundane tensions of life through art if one allows oneself the opportunity ".
