The Dhananjayans honored by CMANA  
- Padmini Balagopal 

November 24, 2008 
 
The Dhananjayans and Padmarani Rasiah gave their final Bharatanaatyam program titled 'Bhakti Maargam' in their fall tour of North America under the auspicious of CMANA (Carnatic Music Association of North America), New Jersey. CMANA is one of the most prestigious and oldest forum for promoting Carnatic music in America and has honoured and felicitated stalwarts in the field of South Indian performing arts. CMANA was very proud to felicitate and honor the Dhananjayans with a plaque of honor cited as under: 

"CMANA respectfully felicitates THE DHANANJAYANS on the special occasion of their grand dance program for CMANA on 'BHAKTI MAARGAM' at the conclusion of their farewell performances in North America. CMANA also recognizes this dance couple for their LIFE TIME contributions and achievements in the related fields of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music." 
Signed: Mr. Sankar Narayanan (President), Mr. P S Venkatraman (Vice President), 
Mr. Aravind Narasimhan (Secretary), Mr. Som Sowmyan (Treasurer) 
The Board of Trustees 
The Carnatic Music Association of North America, Inc, New Jersey 
November 2, 2008  

Naatyaachaarya V P Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan along with senior disciple Padmarani Rasiah gave a soul stirring 'Bhakti Maaragam' performance for a full complement of rasikas at the Forum Theatre in Metuchen, New Jersey on 2nd November 2008 that brought tears to the eyes of the audience who gave a five minutes standing ovation.  The audience also pleaded with the Dhananjayans to return, calling this the "last" in the first farewell tour!  The Dhanajayans obliged by performing two more items requested by the connoisseurs of CMANA members - The Pregnant Deer and Varugalaamo Ayya.