Janani Jayakumar is an young exponent in one of the most prominent classical dance forms of India, Bharathanatyam. She initiated into this art form at the age of 5 under the able guidance of Smt.Priyadarshini Ramchand. Upon Priyadarshini’s relocation to USA, she continued her training with the internationally well renowned Dancer,Actress PadmaShri Shobana. After being trained under them for 10 years, she moved to Natyakala Saraswathi Smt. Padma to learn the intricacies of the Pandhanallur style of Bharathanatyam. She gathered knowledge about the dance form in all its traditional glory, graceful charm and sophisticated expressions. Treading the path to glory with several solo and group performances in her repertoire, she played the key roles in all the dance ballet productions of the institution including “Saptha Thandavam”, “Ashta Nagas”, “Navasandhi Kauthuvam” and others.
Janani is one of the youngest to have cleared the Lower and Higher Grade examinations in classical dance conducted by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. She has had extensive training in Nattuvangam under Guru Padma and has conducted several arangetrams and stage shows at a very young age along with her Guru. Janani has rendered numerous performances under various banners in India and USA and has also performed in Television Channels like Sun TV, Mega TV and Raj TV. After having done a lot of joint choreographies with her Guru she has evolved as an eminent independent choreographer. She has organized, choreographed and performed a thematic fund raising show called Anbanjali, which was one of its kind dealing with social awareness in a classical repertoire.
Janani has been conferred with titles “Nrithya Niranjani” and “Natya Chudaroli” for her excellence in the field of Bharathanatyam. She has also hosted over 30 stage shows, judged dance competitions and participated in cross cultural workshops. This budding artist recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Information Systems from the University of Florida.
Dance to her has is neither a hobby nor a career but the way to touch eternity.