Appreciation from others

From Friends, Associates & Well Wishers

Dhananjayan has traveled all over the world with Shanta and his disciples and has enthralled the audience with his brilliant dance and choreography. I wish them many more years of service to the world of art.

- C K Balagopalan, professor of Bharatanaatyam and Kathakali, Kalakshetra

Winning the acclaim of the discerning audience of Madras, the home of Bharatanaatyam, sustaining it over long years, earning a name not only in India but across the world, is an achievement anyone can be proud of. But the Dhananjayans are so much more than accomplished dancers. They are dedicated teachers with a wealth of reputed disciples spread across many countries, a feat that only a select few have achieved.

- Kottakal Sasidharan, Darpana Academy, Ahmedabad

I was pleasantly surprised by their openness, friendliness and a lack of pretension. They worked extremely hard and nothing was beneath their dignity—not even the act of putting an extra clip into my unruly hair. Their professionalism, their capacity to inspire affection and their mastery over their art was the model that many young dancers in London were privileged to have.

- Shobana Jeyasingh, London

The Dhananjayans have always been very kind in sparing time during their visits to London to discuss matters relating to dance literature, compositions and choreography, helping me to keep increasing my knowledge of this wonderful art form.

- Prakash Yadagudde, London

It is their commitment to share their talent and art with the next generation both in India and abroad that is commendable. Within the framework of tradition, they have done an admirable job in innovating and adding to the repertoire of Bharata Natyam.

- Ramya Harishankar, USA

The Dhananjayans are highly disciplined, principled, professional, dynamic, creative and teachers of the highest standard. We have acquired a great deal of knowledge by being associated with them.

- G Narendra and Mahalakshmi

Bharata Kalanjali is not a mere dance school; it is a Personality Development Centre, enabling its students to perform better not only in dance but in any of their pursuits in life.

- Meera Balachandran

I had the immense pleasure to witness the performance of your troupe at the inauguration of the 3rd International Budd-Chiarri Conference at the Taj Coromandel on the 8th of February 1998. Like most in the audience I was dumbstruck. The beauty of the art hit me like never before. More used to Kathak, I have witnessed Bharatnatyam performances only once in a while. And I am so glad I was able to see yours. The felicity with which dancers change their roles, emotions and even sex, and yet continue to be the same complete person and the same complete thought that the person started of as, is so wonderful and I guess is the essence of dancing. Your silent pursuit of perfection on stage is indeed an inspiration to many of us, who feel so uplifted even though uninitiated.

- Dr Rakhal Gaitonde

I want to express the wonderful memories I keep of meeting you in India last year with Ram Gopal and Claude Lamorisse. It has been for me an unforgettable and precious moment of my life because of you, your kindness and the high level of spirit of your talks and what you explained me about your country, its culture, and traditions. I feel for the rest of my life close to you and belonging for a deep part of myself in India. I keep your memory in my heart and hope to meet you very soon.

- Patrick Bensard, Director, Cinematheque de la Danse, Paris, 8 February, 1996

I would like to congratulate Mr and Mrs Dhananjayan for their successful collaboration with the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society and for their wonderful choreography which makes the whole presentation a memorable evening for everyone. I was most impressed by the overall presentation and high standard performance.

- Liew Chin Choy, Director (Arts Programmes), National Arts Council, Singapore

I am a friend of the father of your disciple Sumitha Nath and had the privilege of attending her arangetram. When I viewed her dance performance and the finesse and excellence with which it was performed, even though I am ignorant of the nuances of this excellent traditional art, I was able to see the guru through the disciple.
Though the performance is by the disciple, the credit always goes to the guru because the student shines only on account of the knowledge, expertise and perseverance bestowed by the guru.
It is highly heartening to note that only because of people like you, this age-old and excellent art of Bharatanaatyam is being sustained and fostered even today. My heartiest congratulations to each and every one at Bharata Kalanjali.

- K Vaitheeswaren

Kindly let me congratulate you on the excellent production of ‘Mahaabhaaratam’ presented at the Krishna Gana Sabha on 28 February 1999. You made it possible for the audience to grasp the joyful and the poignant moments of this great human story. May God bless you with further successes.

- Brig. (Hony.) B Ramamurthi, 2 March 1999

Once again I want to appreciate your work, time, effort and kind instructions to the kids. God bless you.

- Mrudula Thangada

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