Dr. Janaki Rangarajan

At the forefront of the new generation of Bharatanatyam dancers, Nadanamamani Dr. Janaki Rangarajan represents the future of the ancient art form. Since the age of 4, Janaki has been passionate about communicating through dance. Her unique dance style is a sincere result of her undying passion, self-motivation and dedication towards Bharatanatyam. Her refreshing approach to Bharatanatyam has won her many accolades and praise from dance lovers around the world. Being a firm believer in maintaining the integrity of tradition, Janaki explores her creativity without compromising on the classicism of the dance form. 

Janaki's journey in Bharatanatyam commenced at the age of four under the tutelage of Smt. Madhavi Chandrasekhar in Trichy, India. At the age of seven, Janaki came under the guidance of Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam in Chennai, India with whom she studied for the next 17 years. During the last few years, Janaki has also had the privilege of interacting with extraordinary Bharatanatyam choreographers, teachers and senior artists. 

Janaki's immaculate and graceful movements and her subtle yet communicative expressions have won the admiration of laymen and connoisseurs alike. Critics around the world have given her rave reviews and described Janaki as an 'absolutely brilliant performer', 'one of the best today', 'stunning' and 'exemplary'. The New York Times hailed her performance as a 'spellbinder'. 

Janaki's performances have taken her across the globe. She tours with new choreographic works and conducts workshops. In addition to being an accomplished dancer, Janaki is a gifted dance choreographer. She has received many accolades of national and international acclaim which recognize her excellence as a performer and choreographer. As a teacher, Janaki devotes time and energy into developing a new generation of dancers who are dedicated to Bharatanatyam. 

Select Performances in India: 

The Music Academy

Sri Krishna Gana Sabha

Kartik Fine Arts

Brahma Gana Sabha

India Habitat Centre

Bharatmuni Festival

Uday Shankar Dance Festival

Centre for Performing Arts (Pune)

ICCR – Azad Bhavan

National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA)

Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha

Natarani at Darpana

Swarayalaya Rasavikalpam

Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan

Karavali Utsav

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Nada Neerajanam

Soorya Parampara Festival

Epicentre

Indian Fine Arts Society

National Gallery of Modern Art

Mylapore Fine Arts

Narada Gana Sabha

Nungambakkam Cultural Academy

Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj

Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha

Tamil Isai Sangam

Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha

Nellai Sangeetha Sabha

Chidambaram/Thanjavur Natyanjali Festivals Padatik Dance Centre

Select Performances in Other Countries: 

Musee Guimet (France)

Esplanade theatre (Singapore)

QuebeAsia Dance Performance Series (Canada)

DanceIntense Workshop (Canada)

Bharatiya Sangeetha Sangham (Canada)

Gait to the Spirit Dance Festival (Canada)

The Nehru Centre (United Kingdom)

Centre Mandapa (France)

Riga Lativian Society House (Latvia)

Festival of India (Thailand)

Television Appearances/DVD: Doordarshan TV, Raj TV, Jaya TV, Rajya Sabha TV

Rasaanubhavam – Bharatanatyam DVD

Select Performances in the U.S.A: 

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

World Arts, Music & Dance Festival

Library of Congress

Artscape – Lyric Opera House

Atlas Performing Arts Center

Jack Guidone Theater

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Waddell Theatre

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

Hawthorne Farm Auditorium

The National Theatre

Thomas Jefferson Theatre

Murugan Temple of North America

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple

Indo-American Arts Council (Erasing Borders)

Downtown Dance Festival

Lansburgh Theater

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Narthaki Dance Festival

Dance Bethesda

Koresh Artist Showcase

Velocity DC Dance Festival

Yuva Bharathi

Gunston Arts Center

The Diana Center