Eminent Bharatanatyam exponent Shanta Dhananjayan was conferred the title of Nritya Kalanidhi at the 13th dance festival inaugurated at The Music Academy here on Thursday.
Robert G. Burgess, Consul General, Consulate General for the United States of America, Chennai, presented the award to Ms. Dhananjayan.
Lauding Ms. Dhananjayan’s contributions to dance, N. Murali, president, The Music Academy, said she adorned the lead role in dance drama productions of Kalakshetra for several years and founded ‘Bharata Kalanjali’ along with her husband Dhananjayan.
On the festival, Mr. Murali said it would feature 26 performances over seven days.
Accepting the award, Ms. Dhananjayan said her honour and pleasure doubled as she felt she was being awarded for the second time. The Music Academy had given an award to her husband a few years ago, she said.
Mr.Burgess also gave away awards to young dancers.