Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan

Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan is a popular Indian Classical Dancer. He is also known as V.P Dhananjayan. He was born on April 30, 1939, in a Malyali family. He was born in Payyanur, Kerala. He did his B.A. in Economics and Political Science. He was trained under the guidance of Rukmini Devi Arundale. He did his Postgraduate Diploma in Dance with distinction. He is one of the best Bharatnatyam and Kathakali dancers. He got married to Shantha Dhananjayan. Shantha Dhananjayan is also an Indian Classical Dancer. She was a prominent dancer in Kalakshetra. V. P Dhananjayan and Shantha Dhananjayan are regarded as leading dancing couples of South Indian art forms. They are both known by the title Dhananjayans. This couple got several recognitions for their dance. They got Padma Bhushan from the Government Of India in 2009. They got Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu Government in 1990. They got the Nrityavillas award from Haridas Sangeet Samilan Sursingar Sansad Mumbai in 1984. They got the Natya Selvam Award in 2022. They also got the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship in 1984. Dhananjayans have their dance school. They named it Bharata Kalanjali in Adyar, Chennai. They also conduct an annual summer camp at Satchidananda Ashram in the USA. Dhananjayan have their publication. Their publication name is Beyond Performing Art and Culture. Their publication discusses about social and political issues of India. V. P Dhananjayan played a role in film Dhruva Natchathiram: Chapter One- Yuddha Kaandam.