Manjari Rajender Kumar

🪔 About

Manjari Rajender Kumar is a distinguished Bharatanatyam artist, deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Indian classical dance. She is the daughter and a primary disciple of the legendary Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer, musician, and teacher, Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar, and Mrs. Jaya Chandrasekhar. Manjari has carved a significant niche for herself in the Bharatanatyam world, performing for over three decades in prestigious festivals both in India and internationally. Her performances are highly acclaimed for their quality and profound content. She has presented several notable works, including "Yashodhara," "Ushas," "Ahalya," "Rati – A journey," "Chandrodayam," and "Pari – the unflinching giver from the Purananooru." Manjari's artistic journey is often complemented by her husband, Sri R. Rajendra Kumar, who contributes valuable literary insights. Manjari Rajender Kumar performs and teaches at Nrityashree, an institution that upholds the high standards established by her parents. Her dance style is characterized by a deep adherence to her father's approach, emphasizing subtle inward abhinaya, profound musical immersion, and precise adavus with clear lines and geometry. She strongly believes in the integral role of music in dance, a principle she imbibed from her father, who stressed the importance of strong training in rhythm and music for dancers. A recent recital in June 2026 highlighted her distilled experience, where every movement conveyed deep meaning and presence, devoid of hurry, with steady aramandi and precise yet softened geometry. Her repertoire includes pieces choreographed by C.V. Chandrasekhar, such as the Tanjore Quartet Swarajati in Yadukulakambhoji, where she brings her own sensitive abhinaya to the sahithya. She has also presented Ashtapadis and excerpts from Tamil Sufi poetry, set to music by her father, showcasing her ability to traverse varied emotions with ease, combining wit, humor, disappointment, and resignation. Manjari's work consistently carries the message that lineage and parampara are vital in connecting contemporary practitioners to past masters.