Exposed to the art form at a young age, Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant is trained in two traditional forms of the expressive classical Indian dance form, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. A former student of the prestigious Kalakshetra she is also trained in Carnatic music, Veena (a plucked stringed musical instrument), Choreography, Nattuvangam (art of conducting a classical Indian dance recital) and Philosophy.
The absolutely beautiful and graceful Ananda has won many prestigious awards like Sangeet Natak Akademi award 2010 for Bharatanatyam, Padmashri award in 2007 and Woman of the Year award 2000 from the American Biographical Institute to name a few.
As a choreographer and performer, she uses dance as a medium to talk about gender issues, mythology and philosophy. With intense and emotionally charged presentations, she is known to be an intelligent and thought provoking dancer with contemporary sensibility.
Ananda leads the Shankarananda Kalakshetra School in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and is a scholar of dance and art, lecturing frequently on both throughout India. She also performs regularly across the world.
Ananda is a true inspiration. She was recently diagnosed with cancer which she overcame, boldly dancing through it. Here is a video of her performance at TED that captures her spirit and art triumphing.
To know more about the ever graceful Ananda and her awesome work click here.
Hey Nisha this is so cool.. You know i am developing a range of furniture based on the mudras of the Indian Dance forms.. “Bharatnatyam”