Born to a dancer, and raised in an art-filled environment, Janani took to dance instinctively. Her love for the art form grew into a focussed discipline and a joyful engagement through her childhood. In the years that followed, Janani has pursued the art form in various capacities- as a Solo and Ensemble performer, as a teacher, as an arts writer, as a choreographer and as a researcher. With an emphasis on holistic understanding and pursuit of the arts, Janani’s work thus far has been lauded by senior Gurus, critic and arts connoisseurs. As Associate Artistic Director of Padmalaya Dance Foundation, her purpose is to further the vision of her mother and Founder - that of holistic dance education, performance and academic study.

 

An “A” grade artiste of Doordarshan and empanelled artiste of ICCR, Janani has been decorated with many awards and titles, among them being the Prateeksha Award, Narthana Shironmani, Padmavathi Puraskar and Nalanda Nrithya Nipuna. An avid admirer of Indian story-telling, her dance-theatre productions and multi-disciplinary performances aim to have honest conversations about the Itihasas, Puranas and socio-political evolution. Her productions ‘SAVITRI’, ‘When Kabir met Quartet’, ‘Under the Banyan Tree’ and ‘Song and Story’ have been well received by audiences across the globe. With 'Kalpavruksha' and 'A Goddess's Dream', she has created full-length dance-theatre productions that bring a cohesive approach to Indic thought and current day conundrums.  UNBOXED, her unique venture into experimental performance and creative process has received critical acclaim. It has broadened her work in inter-disciplinary arenas of performance and academic engagement. Traversing with equal ease performances in the traditional Margam format to contemporary work, Janani brings to her audience her earnest learning and contemplations.