Ananda Shankar Jayant

Ananda Shankar Jayant

Shankar Jayant in 2011
Born (1961-09-27) 27 September 1961
Chennai, India
Residence Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Occupation Indian classical dancer of Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi
Website AnandaShankarJayant.com

Ananda Shankar Jayant (born 27 September 1961) is one of India’s most eminent and renowned dancers and is celebrated as one of India’s leading classical dancers, choreographers and dance scholars. A prolific soloist, performing in two classical Indian dance styles of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, Ananda, imbues to the technique and grammar of her dance, a sparkling quality that bristles with life.[1][2][3][4]

As the Artistic Director of Shankarananda Kalakshetra, Ananda leads an acclaimed ensemble, besides training and presenting the next generation of Bharatanatyam artists.[5][6]

Among many honors conferred on her, Ananda has been decorated with the "Padma Shri" (The 4th highest Civilian award of India) in 2007 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi (India’s apex performing arts body) award for Bharatanatyam in 2009.[7]

Ananda is also a serving bureaucrat of the Indian Government.[8]

A TED speaker in 2009, Ananda’s TED talk is much viewed and is highly ranked as one of 12 incredible TED talks on cancer.[9][10]

Early Life

Ananda Shankar was born to Late GS Shankar and Late Smt Subhashini Shankar in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She considers herself Tamil by birth and Telugu by soul. Presently, she is living in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.[11][12]

Education

Equipped with a Master’s degree in Ancient Indian History , Culture and Archaeology, an M.Phil., in Arts History for the topic 'Development of Bharatanatyam - Role of Kalakshetra', and a Ph.D., for the topic 'Promotion of Tourism and Culture - Role of Railways' - all from Osmania University - she brings deep insights to art and dance scholarship.[13][14]

Training and Styles

Bharatnatyam

Ananda was initiated into the world of dance at the age of four, under Smt Sharada Keshava Rao, and later came under the tutelage of Shri KN Pakkiriswamy Pillai. Her passion for dance saw her join Rukmini Devi Arundale’s Kalakshetra, for a 6 year course in Bharatanatyam, receiving her Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma there. At Kalakshetra, she received intensive training in dance from S Sharada, Sharada Hoffman, Krishnaveni Lakshman and Padma Balagopal, in Carnatic vocal music from Buddaluru Krishnamurthy Shastry and MD Ramanathan, and philosophy from Dr Shankara Menon.[15]

Kuchipudi

On her return from Kalakshetra , she also trained in Kuchipudi under Sri Pasumarthy Ramalinga Shastry.

Career - Dance

Starting her dance career as a soloist in two classical styles of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, Ananda has performed in major festivals in India and abroad. Dancing with joy, Ananda, has polished her art to a fine pitch, where, the rigor of her training, her dedication and commitment meet a finely tuned intellect that effortlessly bridges traditional structures with contemporary inputs. Ananda, a prolific solo and ensemble performer, a much loved teacher and guru, a critically acclaimed and brilliant choreographer, has always been known for unique style of dancing.[16][17][18]

Career - Government Service

Ananda is also a serving officer, of the Government of India. Selected to the Indian Railway Traffic Service, of the 1987 batch of the Union Public Service Commission, Ananda has served the Ministry of Railways, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in various capacities.

Choreography

Ananda Shankar Jayant, is celebrated as one of India’s acclaimed dance choreographers. Creating and choreographing since the age of 17 years, Ananda’s choreographies include solos, duets, ensemble works , full length productions, and dance theatre. Ananda’s choreographies span the spectrum of both classical Indian dance - Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, and neo classical movement technique, creating the warp and weft of a rich and acclaimed repertoire. [19][20]

Full length productions

Short group works

Ekaharyas - mono drama

Awards and Credentials

She has received various awards for her outstanding performances.[21]

Other Awards

Motivational Speaker

Ananda is a sought after motivational and inspirational speaker. She lectures to varied audiences ranging from corporate institutions to schools and colleges on a wide spectrum of subjects, ideas and concepts. Invited to speak at TED in November 2009, Ananda received a standing ovation for her talk. Ananda’s TED talk is much viewed and is highly ranked as one of 12 Incredible TED talks on cancer. In January 2015, the Huffington Post rated Ananda’s TED talk as 1 of 5 greatest TED talks by Indians. She continues to inspire and motivate with her many talks across boardrooms, college and schools. [28][29]

Writer

Ananda Shankar Jayant was invited to be the Guest Editor of the 16th edition of Attendance - the only dance annual of India. As the Guest Editor, Ananda, has put together and curated a comprehensive narrative that spans Telugu dance traditions through the vision of extraordinary performers and teachers across nearly a century, tracing the warp and weft of Telugu dance traditions.[30][31][32]

Publications

Shankarananda Kalakshetra

Ananda Shankar now heads a registered not-for-profit society, Shankarananda Kalakshetra, in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It has now become a home of South Indian art forms. It is a nationally recognized organization and has been selected to represent India at various International Dance Festivals. The institution is also a renowned centre for learning where students are taught dance, theory, music, yoga, Nattuvangam, costume, stage, sound & light techniques thus, providing a holistic training in the performing arts. Shankarananda Kalakshetra is known for exacting standards, and students here, learn to balance the traditional with the modern with ease and maturity. More than 1000 students have been trained in dance here, and have received innumerable prizes and accolades as performers and teachers[35]

Breast Cancer Advocacy

Ananda was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2008. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and Herceptin therapies for 2 years. Through it all she continued to dance, teach, choreograph , travel and perform on tour . She is in remission now, and continues to be under maintenance therapy and regular surveillance. She believes that cancer is only one page in her life and that her focus on her art, and tuning into her dance, helped her tune out of cancer. Invited to speak at TED in November 2009,Ananda received a standing ovation for her talk.[36]

See also

Quotation

References

  1. ↑ "Ananda - The dancer". The Hindu, 27 December, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Ananda - a renowned dancer". The Hindu, 26 January, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Ananda - well known for her dancing style". The Tribune, India.
  4. ↑ "Ananda is known for her own dancing style". The Indian Express.
  5. ↑ "Ananda - Her Performance". The Hindu, 27 December, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Ananda - Her Performance, Her Life". The Hindu, 7 November, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Padma Shree Awardees 2007". India.Gov.in, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Ananda - serving bureaucrat". IndiaToday.
  9. ↑ "TED Talk -Ananda". Ted.com.
  10. ↑ "TED Talk by Ananda". Huffingtonpost.com.
  11. ↑ "The Power of Dance". OfIndianOrigin.co.uk, 17th September, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Fighting Cancer with Dance". TED.com.
  13. ↑ "Her Education" (PDF). SangeetNatak.Gov.in.
  14. ↑ "Ananda's Education". Sampad.org.uk.
  15. ↑ "Bharatnatyam - Ananda". OfIndianOrigin.co.uk, 17th September, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Chennai January Season performances". Nathaki.com.
  17. ↑ "Ananda Shankar Jayant: In Conversation and Demonstration". SamPad.Org.UK.
  18. ↑ "Ananda of Dance". Times of India Newspaper, 5th November, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Ananda Shankar Jayant". IndianSarts.com.
  20. ↑ "Ananda Shankar Jayant – Choreography". anandashankarjayant.com.
  21. ↑ "Awards for Ananda Shankar". The Hindu Newspaper, March 19, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Akademi award for Ananda Shankar". The Hindu Newspaper, 30th September, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Award for Ananda". The Hindu Newspaper, 7th April, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Kalaimamani awards announced". kutcheribuzz.com.
  25. ↑ "Padma Shree Awards Announced". Pib.Nic.In.
  26. ↑ "TAPAS Sangeetha-Natya Festival and Awards 2013–14". IndiaPRWire.
  27. ↑ "Annual festival of music and dance from Nov. 26". The Hindu Newspaper.
  28. ↑ "Ananda - motivational speaker". Ted.com.
  29. ↑ "Ananda inspiring others". Huffingtonpost.com.
  30. ↑ "Ananda - Guest Editor". IndiaToday, September 1, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Ananda as Guest Editor". Attendance-India.com.
  32. ↑ "Ananda Shankar as Guest Editor". The Hindu, July 24, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Ananda Shankar Jayant's Article in Performers and their Art Performers and Their Arts: Folk, Popular and Classical Genres in a Changing India". Routledge India; 1 edition, 30 May 2006.
  34. ↑ "Ananda was invited to be the Guest Editor for Attendance". Attendance, 2014–2015.
  35. ↑ "About Shankarananda Kalakshetra". AnandaShankarJayant.com.
  36. ↑ "Cancer Conqueror - Ananda". Huffingtonpost.com.

External links

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