Appreciation from Students

Here there is a sharing of knowledge. When I learned from Arunachalam Pillai who belonged to the nattuvanar community, I felt that they had this deep sense of insecurity that the art would be snatched from them and they will have no control over it. As a result of this, we were never allowed to record--written or taped--any item taught to us. But here, the Dhananjayans don't hold back on anything. Another aspect is their emphasis on detail, even in the rolling of a mat, caring for costumes...yet there is sufficient freedom...

- Sreelatha Vinod

They have influenced every stage in my life and have extended their love and support throughout, and my gratitude for them knows no bounds.

- Anita Shanmuganathan

Of my twelve years in India, more than half had been spent within Bharata Kalanjali and I learned so many things about life, art and work from the mundane to the sublime…The Dhananjayans have been part of the link that takes me back again and again. The world has grown smaller in recent years. The frequent exchanges of visits and ideas draw us even closer in a friendship more permanent than the limits of space and time.

- Katherine Siebel Kunhiraman, USA

The lessons I have learnt from them have been many – like the lesson of hard work, the lesson of feeling secure in one’s own capacity to do this, the lesson of not being threatened by others’ opportunities and successes, the lesson of giving one’s best at any point of time.

- Pushkala Gopal

Over the years, the unstinting support I have received from the Dhananjayans in adding to my repertoire, liaising with musicians, the invaluable advice and all sorts of help they extend to me and my pupils regularly, makes me feel that Mudralaya in London is a sapling from the Bharata Kalanjali tree borne away by the wind, as its destiny is to carry forth the work of the parent in another place. May the parents flourish and the saplings multiply!

- Unnikrishnan

As I get to know them more, my love, respect and admiration for them keeps growing. Close proximity in resident camps made them teachers, parents, friends and counselors to the whole camp. In addition to being my guru, akka is also my guide, friend and philosopher.

- Padmarani Rasiah, USA

I just read your interview in Narthaki and found it rejuvenating. I remember seeing Aikya Bharatam and that looks like a dream. Your story as a dancer is fascinating and reinforces the worth of dedication and hard work. I have always looked upon you as my "MANSEEKA GURUS" and will look up to you to lead me in my artistic journey. I am proud to say that I have lived and seen your dance and enjoyed every bit of your artistic presentations both as a rasika and dancer.

- Sujatha Srinivasan

It is not the dance technique, but the sincerity of mind towards the Supreme that is embodied in Bharata Kalanjali.

- Daya Tomiko, Japan

As gurus, they taught us to put our body and mind to complete discipline for many years to achieve that moment of total abandon where the dancer is lost and only the dance remains.

- The Trio Sisters (Radhika, Gayathri, Shobana)

Students not only emerge as excellent dancers from Bharata Kalanjali but also are greatly influenced by the way of the Dhananjayans’ life style and aspire to become good human beings. They are a couple of a kind untouched by the politics involved in the art world of India.

- Sukanya Ravi Shankar

The Gurukulam system of training is an ancient one not easily available in our times. I teach dance in England. I came all this way to live with my Gurus and train intensively, which is an opportunity not to be wasted. Here you learn dance with a combination of music and yoga. I’d love to come back. It’s an amazing experience.

- Thanuja Shankar 1997, UK (about the Yogaville camp)

I would like to thank you very much for giving to many of us such a fine and beautiful presentation of Bharatanatyam. This was the first time I have seen a recital by yourselves. Many people have told me of your wonderful presentations, but in real life there are no words in English to describe what we see. I’m sure there is in the beautiful language of Sanskrit.
What a feast of Bharatanatyam we have had. No doubt you will agree that we all owe a lot to that lovely lady of Kalakshetra, Smt. Rukmini Devi and her efforts over many years to bring the beauty of the classical arts of India to all of us.
All countries’ ambassadors should be artists such as yourselves, who convey to us the warmth, purity, and truth that lies in the heart of all beings. Then perhaps we would not have so much trouble in the world.
As you are your disciples’ Guru, so you are your audiences’ Guru for you execute the word Guru to its fullest. That is, you drive away the darkness for us, giving us enlightenment. It is like being on a train going through a tunnel for the light at the end appears at first as a mere speck becoming larger quite rapidly till we seem to explode out into the brightness of daylight.
The word in Tamil for goodbye or I take leave is “poi varugiraen”, which I believe literally means, “I go, I come”, so please do not take too long in coming back.

- John Morrison

My Gurus gave very generously...They were very demanding as teachers...the excellent training has made me learn how to learn...

- Nirupama Nityanandan

Precision is the basis of their teaching. To them, I owe not only my clarity but also my creativity in composing. I love and respect them deeply.

- Shantala (Lida), Greece

Our gurus are respected for imparting the highest values of life, apart from dancing. Nothing is left to chance and no one is taken for granted. Every student is cherished in his or her own right.

- Divya Devaguptapu

Their method of imparting knowledge to the students and guidance is simply unmatched. Watching them perform is breathtaking.

- Meena Telikicherla, USA

To my Gurus...Dancing bells adorn their feet as
though they are there;
before I look again - father and mother
they stand beside me,
I adore them with all the strength in my heart
for, what I am, what you see today,
is what they have generously given
I owe it to them, I know
and here is my dedication......

- R. Shoba

Not only are the Dhananjayans fine artists, they are simply beautiful human beings, inside and out. All the praise in the world will never be enough to describe what they mean to me. They have not only been my teachers, but my best friends, and a brother and sister to me. They are kind, humble, generous, hospitable, understanding and never say an unkind word about anyone.

- Gloria Mandelik, Madrid, Spain

I was constantly filled with inspiration by watching them work and perform, by talking to them and simply by being in their presence.

- Nina Rajarani, London

The most unique quality of this world-renowned pair is their desire to teach each student to the best of their ability with steady and patient nurturing. I feel I speak for many students who are being brought up in a western society, yet living in eastern homes – Anna and Akka are a breath of fresh air. They don’t try to mould us into traditional children, but instead, accept us as individuals, as they reveal to us the finer qualities of being Asian.

- Gopitha Tharmalingam

Bharata Kalanjali is like a gurukulam. If you want to experience the feeling of a true guru-shishya relationship, this is the place. We learn not only dance but also choreography.

- Aravind Chakravarthy

I've been here for 8 years now. All who come here not only learn dance but also develop character. After every dance class, a theory is also taught.

- Karthik Mahadevan

We learn to dance and also how to impart that knowledge. We also learn about our culture. I have learned much here and wish to learn more.

- Umesh, Davangere, Karnataka

I have learned from Calcutta Kalamandalam. I came to Bharata Kalanjali to learn the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanaatyam. I like the atmosphere and the teaching here.

- Sutapa

I've been in Bharata Kalanjali for 12 years. I came here after learning dance in Trivandrum. Since then I've been a student, teacher under the Dhananjayans. I've done many major roles in productions done by Bharata Kalanjali, the first of them notably 'Ghanashyam'. Also 'Ramanaatakam', 'Sanghamitra' and 'Mahaabhaaratam'. I've worked abroad with the Dhananjayans and others in Greece, USA and other places.

- Suresh

I've been in Bharata Kalanjali for the past 10 years. It has not only been a dance school for me but a home away from home. All my values have been imbibed from the Dhananjayans. I've changed as a person...My first production was 'Tasherdesh', then 'Dhanvantri', 'Rasamudra'...

- Sandhya Mohan

I've been in Bharata Kalanjali for 10 years. I feel good being here. I've learnt a lot from Bharata Kalanjali...not only dancing but many disciplines. Our gurus treat us like friends...

- Lalitha

I've been here for the past 7 years. I take great pride and pleasure in saying that the Dhananjayans are my gurus...they not only teach dance, but slokas, they tell us the mythological stories...

- Subhashini

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