Anjali Nandanji’s Journey: From Reluctant Beginner to Acclaimed Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam Guru
Hello and welcome to today’s episode of our talk show, where we’re thrilled to host the talented Anjali Nandanji. As a seasoned Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam dancer and the founder of the Natyam Academy of Performing Arts, Anjali has dedicated decades to classical dance, sharing her journey with us today.
Anjali’s journey in dance began not by choice but by the insistence of her mother. Starting as a hesitant third-grader, she grew to embrace and excel in her craft under the strict tutelage of her first teacher, ultimately earning her Visharad, a significant Bharatanatyam qualification. Her story highlights the resilience needed in a field where rigor is paramount.
After reaching her Visharad, Anjali expanded her training to Mohiniattam in the renowned Kalamandalam style, bridging her Kerala roots with her dance repertoire. Her learning journey continues today as she takes training in rhythm from Guru Bharadwaj in Chennai, deepening her understanding of talam for an enriched experience in Bharatanatyam and beyond.
Aside from her performance and teaching career, Anjali pioneered a digital presence for Bharatanatyam with her website, onlinebharatanatyam.com, one of the earliest platforms offering educational content on Bharatanatyam. Supported by her husband, Anjali embraced blogging and online teaching, reaching students across continents. Her website remains active, and she has since developed a community portal, Heartbeat, to enhance the learning experience for her students worldwide.
On stage, Anjali reflects the challenges that many dancers face. She shares how a dancer must maintain agility, work with technical setups, and adapt to unexpected changes like sudden sound failures. Offstage, she faces the hurdle of teaching expressive Abhinaya to younger students, focusing on Bhakti themes that are accessible yet profound.
Anjali’s story serves as a testament to the enduring beauty and discipline of classical Indian dance. We’re grateful for the insights she shared and the contributions she continues to make in both performing and preserving these art forms.