Janardanan A

🪔 About

Professor Aryambath Janardhanan, a distinguished exponent of both Kathakali and Bharatanatyam, was born on April 25, 1942, in Kerala, India. His rigorous training in Kathakali began under his father, Guru T. K. Chandu Panicker, a student of the Kallarikoda tradition. He further honed his Kathakali skills under the renowned Guru Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, supported by a two-year Government of India scholarship. Janardhanan's profound association with Kalakshetra, a premier institution for Indian classical arts, commenced in 1958 and spanned an uninterrupted 47 years. He received his Post Diploma in Kathakali with distinction in 1966 and subsequently continued at Kalakshetra as a dedicated teacher of both Kathakali and Bharatanatyam from June 1966. Throughout his tenure, he served in multiple capacities: as a student, a principal dancer in Kalakshetra productions directed by Rukmini Devi Arundale, a faculty member, and eventually as the Principal of the Rukmini College of Fine Arts from June 2001 to May 2003. He retired as Professor Emeritus at the age of 62. As a principal dancer, Janardhanan essayed almost all major lead roles in the Kalakshetra repertoire, including iconic portrayals such as Rama in 'Ramayana', Buddha in 'Buddha Avataram', and Bheema in 'Damayanti Swayamvaram'. He assisted Rukmini Devi at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow in 1981. A talented choreographer, he created two major dance dramas for Kalakshetra, 'Karna Sapatham' in Malayalam and 'Sri Purandara' in Kannada, and also choreographed 'Sri Krishna Jananam' for Bharatakalanjali of the Dhananjayans. Prof. Janardhanan is recognized for his unwavering commitment to upholding Rukmini Devi's high ideals, showcasing a natya that blends admirable technique with subtle and aesthetic abhinaya. He has performed extensively with the Kalakshetra troupe across numerous countries and is frequently invited as an external examiner in dance by various universities and art centers globally. In 2012, he was invited back to Kalakshetra to help revive some of Rukmini Devi's original dance dramas.