 |
|
 |
|
From Friends,
Associates & Well Wishers
An offering from our friend Niveditha
-The Dhananjayans
ஆலமரத்தின் அழகிய விழுதுகள்
பல உண்டு
அதில் இரண்டு இளம்
விழுதுகள்
தாய் மண்ணின் ஈரம் சுமந்து
புது நிலத்தில் வேரூன்றின
தாய்
மண்ணின் வாசமும் ஈரமும்
வேராய் இருக்க
அயரா உழைப்பும் வளமிக்க கற்பனையும்
உரமாய் இறங்க
சிறிதளவும் மங்காத காதலும் வேட்கையும் நன்நீராய் பாய
50 வருட
விருக்ஷமாய்
பார் கொண்டாடும் நடன சிரோன்மணிகளாய்
மதிப்புக்குறிய
தனஞ்சயன்ஸ்
திருவாளர் தனஞ்சயன்
மாது ஶ்ரீ சாந்தா.
கலை இவரது ஆடுகளம்
மூலதனம் உடல்
மூச்சு நடனம்
வாழ்வே நடனம்
நடனமாகி
நின்றார்கள்
பொருள் ஈட்டும் வழி அன்று
இந் நடனம்
காவு கேட்கும் பெரும்
தெய்வமிது
தனை கரைத்து உருகி படைத்தால்
சுகித்து மகிழ்ந்து சகலமும் தரும் இத்
தெய்வம்.
உயிர்ப்புடன் படையல் படைப்பவர்கள்
திருவாளரும்
திருமதியும்
ஓடும் நீர் நிலத்தின் நிறம் கொள்வதைப் போல
கதாபாத்திரம்
எதுவாயினும்
அதுவேவாகி ஆடுவார்
அரங்கத்தில்.
முலை பால் ஊட்டும்
அன்னையா?
கூனியா?குரங்கா?
இன்னம் எத்தனையோ.
உடல்மொழி இவருக்கு
கை வந்த
கலை
மிகையான ஆட்டம் அன்று
கச்சிதமான நடம்.
நான் என்கிறத்தன்மை
விலகி
உயிர்ப்பூட்டும் தன்மை
வந்தமர்கிறது இவரிடம் .
இறை வந்தமரும்
இடம்
ஸாயுஜ்யம் இதுஅன்றோ!
யாதுமாகி நிற்கும் நடனம்
இவர்க்குள்
வற்றா
ஊற்றாய்
ஆனந்த லஹரியாய்.
கலையெனும் பெருந்
தெய்வம்
கொலுவிருக்கும்
நீவிர் பாக்கியம் செய்தவரே
அதைக் காண பெற்ற
எனக்கு
இவ்வாழ்வு கொடுத்த கொடையே.
என் பணிவான பதிவு.
இது என் 30
ஆண்டு கால ஆழ்ந்த காதல் பிரமிப்பு
உணர்ச்சிபூர்வமான
ரசிப்பின் தாக்கம்
.
எல்லாவற்றையும் கண்டு முதல் முடிவே சரி என பகர்ந்த
என் இதயத்தின் குரலை
ஆமோதித்தேன்.இன்று வரை
அதில் மாற்றமில்லை.வைணவர்கள் போல நானும்
என் தோள்களில் பச்சை
குத்தி கொண்டிருந்திருப்பேன்.
ஆனால் செய்யவில்லை.ஆழ்ந்த அன்பும் மரியாதையும்
அடக்கமிகுதியுடவை.ஊருக்கு பறை சாற்ற வேண்டிய அவசியமில்லை.
இப் பெருங்
கலைஞ்ர்களுக்கு என் வணக்கங்கள்.
BIRTH DAY WISHES AND APPRECIATION POEM BY SMT. SHYAMALA SUNDARAM
Sri V P Dhananjayan,
and his dharmapatni, Smt. Shanta Dhananjayan are doing great service in
bringing forth the age-old art form of Bharata Natyam in India and the
West.
I know personally
that many, many students are being benefited by the beautiful and traditional
style in which they teach. The foundations of their teaching are the 3
Ds, which are discipline, devotion and dedication. All the students come
to realize that these 3 Ds are the key to success in every aspect of life.
- Swami
Satchidanandaji, Satchidananda Ashram for Integral Yoga
I have known
Dhananjayan and Shanta since last many years and admired them as dancers
and teachers. I have seldom come across two such beautiful human beings.
They are wonderful artists, so co-operative, affectionate and at the same
time so humble. I will always cherish the warmth and friendliness of this
unique couple.
- Pt. Ravi
Shankar
The Dhananjayans
have made a significant contribution to the world of dance by propagating
the depth, dedication and devotion, needed to perform dance with dignity
and decorum.
- S Sathya
Lingam and Neela Sathya Lingam
Even though
I had the pleasure of watching the dress rehearsal of the Natya Adyayana
Gurukulam 10th Anniversary program, still, I was not prepared for the magnitude,
magnificence, and majesty of this evening�s performance of �Satyam, Sivam,
Sundaram�.
The drama was
brilliantly conceived, meticulously executed, and the performance was nothing
less than electrifying. I have never seen such intricate synchronization
of so many elements on the same stage at the same time. I have witnessed
many performances in ballet, opera, symphony, and other forms of classical
music and dance�including performances by some of the foremost Indian artists�but
have never experienced one to surpass that of this evening.
Beyond that,
to know that all the work�both choreography and music�was original, makes
me feel like the most privileged person on earth for having been allowed
to witness this event. Moreover, the level of competence of your many artists
(tonight, the word �students� no longer applies!)�from goddess to monkey
to mongoose to king�is truly a tribute to your own personal dedication
to both your art and your Lord.
- Swami
Sharadananda (Yogaville)
Ooh! What
a joy to have you both with us for the fantastic dance camp again! May
we have this blessing for many years to come!
- Mataji
(Yogaville)
The Dhananjayans
are indeed a unique pair, who has elevated Bharata Natyam and Kathakali
to adapt to permissible innovations, and to make them more colourful and
cheerful. They surely can be depended upon to uphold the highest ideals
of these dance arts.
They are a
rare combination of excellence in performance, choreography, teaching and
organization. They have consistently striven to be creative and innovative
in their productions, allowing a large cross section of audiences around
the world to appreciate the wonders of Indian classical dance while preserving
the traditions.
Their students
are spread throughout the globe and are richly contributing to the spread
of interest in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali the world over.
- K S Ramanujam
Building up
an excellent relationship with the students, both Dhananjayan and Shanta
have not stifled the curiosity of the student and their urge to question
and be answered. Instead of reducing teaching to an activity within the
claustrophobic confines of crowded rooms, they have created a sense of
space in Bharata Kalanjali--space both physical and mental.
- Leela
Venkataraman
I have developed
great love, regard and admiration for the Dhananjayans for their discipline,
devotion and dedication to dancing and also for their concern to recognize
hidden talents in other artists, which is a rare quality among performing
gurus.
- Jayalakshmi
Alva, Sridevi-Nrithya Kendra
Versatile
Dhananjayan and his talented wife Shanta evoke in art lovers respect and
admiration for their continued work with sustained interest in the field
of Indian dance.
- U K Chandrabhaga
Devi and U S Krishna Rao
But for the
Dhananjayans ABHAI will not be what it is today. The couple with their
amicable manners and charming personality was able to forge friendship
and captivate the hearts of people across continents.
- Nirmala
Ramachandran
Bharata Kalanjali
promotes the rich traditions inherited from Kalakshetra, with its insistence
on precision of footwork and abhinaya that communicates the intensity of
felt experience.
The Dhananjayans
are respected for their authentic and classical style apart from imparting
discipline of the body and mind. Their repute as choreographers and performers
par excellence, is worldwide.
- Mrs.
Y G Parthasarathy, Secretary, Bharat Kalachar
Both Shanta
and Dhananjayan have certainly worked hard to establish their institution
with one pointed effort�to promote good dancing. Being talented, excellent
dancers themselves, they have been passing on to their pupils the qualities
which have helped them to reach the position they are in, today.
- Saradha
Hoffman, Kalakshetra
Having known
Shanta and Dhananjayan from their childhood it has been a great sense of
joy, fulfillment and pride for me that these two devoted, dedicated and
excellent dancers, have made their mentor proud by continuing to dance,
teach and choreograph in such an enviable manner.
- C V Chandrasekhar,
dancer and choreographer
I have always
admired their work. They have been very generous towards their students
and co-musicians. They have trained a number of budding violinists, mridangists,
flutists and taught or trained the musicians in nattuvangam. They are very
particular in going into the details of the lyrics, style, d�cor,
dress and overall neatness. They are ready to go out of the way to help
others.
As dancers
I have nothing to say, as the whole dance world knows of their quality
and perfection. They have travellled all over the world by themselves,
without help from other bodies.
- Kalanidhi
Narayanan
Dhananjayan
was a real friend and brother to me. Shanta, apart from being a great dancer,
is a perfect understanding wife. They are really made for each other and
a superb couple in the dancing world.
- Krishnaveni
Lakshmanan
It is indeed
remarkable how they manage to play simultaneously the multiple roles of
parents, teachers, performers�each one of them so effectively too! They
are also excellent organizers who strive to add a touch of originality
to everything they do, be it the designing of invitations, stage d�cor,
costumes or the performance itself.
Punctuality
is the watchword of the Dhananjayans. Their positive approach to life and
its challenges is a source of inspiration to youngsters.
- N V Narasimhachari
and M Vasanthalakshmi, Kalasamarpana Foundation Trust
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
Appreciation From Students
|
|
|
|
