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Roja Kannan (born 1960) is an Indian dancer specialising in the classical dance form 
Roja Kannan is one of the most outstanding Bharatanatyam Exponents from Chennai, India having trained under illustrious Gurus Padmashri Awardee Sri. Adyar K.Lakshman and Padma Bhushan Awardee Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan.
Roja has been nurtured in a rich Carnatic South Indian Classical music background and hence she grew up in an atmosphere of music and dance, starting her formal training at a very early age under the illustrious exponent Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali at her institution "NATYALAYA" in Chennai.
Roja had her first solo debut performance in the year 1972 and has since then reached a glorious stature as a fine performer.
In the last five decades Roja Kannan has been hailed as a pristine performer of Bharatanatyam with a rich experience and expertise. She has hundreds of performances and lecture demonstrations to her credit both in India and Abroad.
Roja has also been featured as a Child Artiste in Tamil cinema in the early 60’s & 70’s.
Roja has participated in the most prestigious International Dance Festival called the " Jacob’s Pillow International Festival of Dance" at Lee, Massachusetts in July 2004. Apart from several others like the "Global Rhythms" Festival of Music & Dance at Oxford, Ohio in November 2006, and "World Harmony Day "Celebrations in April 2013 at Orange & Dubbo near Sydney, Australia. Roja Kannan also presented a lecture and solo thematic program at the Annual Humanitas Festival at the University of Washington at Pullman, WA in the year 2016. The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival has also featured Roja in the years 2007 &2015.
Roja has also travelled to Paris, France in the year 2008 and Copenhagen, Denmark in the year 2018 on ICCR (Indian Council For Cultural Relations) sponsored tours of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Roja Kannan founded BHARATHA NATYALAYA Academy of Music & Dance in the year 1987 with the sole aim to train students in the nuances of the technique of her chosen tradition and thereby assure the propagation and continuity of the Art form in it’s good standards in the time tested Guru-Sishya Parampara. The Centre strives to uphold the genuine values of the unique South Indian Dance Form.
Roja has trained and nurtured hundreds of brilliant students who have all graduated from this Institution and are all gaining name and fame in the renewed performing spheres. Many of her students have also started their own institutions where the legacy of Roja’s Guru and her own works are taught to the next generation of students thus keeping alive the rich tradition and unique pedagogy of the art.
Roja’s artistic works have expanded over the years by conceiving and composing noteworthy dance ballets, both as Solo Thematic and as Group.
Roja has also collaborated with Senior Dancers Priya Murle, N. Srikanth & Aswathy and formed a group called "PARASHAHA" which has choreographed and presented several thematic dance productions since 2002.
For her sustained brilliant work and versatility Roja has been bestowed with several prestigious Awards and Recognitions from various Cultural Organizations and the Government of Tamil Nadu which include:
*Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu,
* Title of "Natana RASA Mamani" from RASA, Chennai.
*"Mayura Nattuvanga Nanmani" from the Mayura Natyanjali Committee,
*Senior Artiste Award from Marudha Natyanjali, Thiruvidaimarudhur,
*Nritya Kala Nipuna from The Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Chennai
*Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award from Vysakhi Nrithyotsava, Vishakapatnam
*Sai Arts International Lifetime Achievement Award, Bengaluru.
*Nrithya Kala Shironmani from The Chennai Cultural Academy Trust,
*Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai Kendra & Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai,
*Best Guru Award from Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai,
*Acharya Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai,
*Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Endownment Award from Binfield Trust, Chennai,
*Kalacharya Sironmani from VDS Arts Academy, Chennai,
*Woman of Excellence Award from the Probus Club, Chennai,
*Kala Seva Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar, Chennai,
*Natya Ilavarasi from the Sree Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi,
*Sathya Nrithya Sundaram from the Bharathanjali Trust , Chennai,
*Nadana Kalaimani from the Ramalingar Pani Mandram, Chennai,
*P.Obul Reddy Endowment Award for a Senior Dancer from the Natyarangam, Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai,
*Best Senior Dancer Award from The Music Academy Chennai in 2012 during their Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
Roja Kannan exhibited her innate urge to serve the community of artists in her capacity as the General Secretary of ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artists of India) which she held for eight years, receiving wide acclaim for her committed work for the field and for the artists. She served as a member of the Executive Committee and then as the Vice President. She continued her service as the President of ABHAI for two terms from 2018 to 2024 and won wide appreciation and support from the artistic fraternity for her selfless work to the betterment of hundreds of artistes. Her selfless service to the artistes who suffered losses due to cancellation of programs and classes because of the Pandemic in the years 2020-21 have been hailed as path breaking. Through ABHAI artistes from all over India were identified and financial assistance was given to them in addition to supply of rice and other essential items. The service was not only restricted to artistes in the Bharatanatyam community but to other genres also including those practicing folk arts. Funds were raised through private donations and from Corporates and distributed.
As President of ABHAI Roja Kannan was responsible for the establishment of branches or Shaakhas of ABHAI at various cities throughout India and also the first overseas centre was inaugurated at New York.
Through the Outreach Initiatives several Corporation Schools were identified and teachers were recruited from ABHAI members to handle the Bharatanatyam classes and paid salaries from ABHAI thus creating job opportunities for several young students of the Art.
ABHAI also instituted several Awards to recognize and appreciate the work done by artistes. Staying true to the ideals of ABHAI "For the Artistes, By the Artistes, To the Artistes" Roja Kannan raised the Association to the next level and made it a name to reckon with in the artistic fraternity world over.
Roja, being an active member of the "Jana Bharatham" project of Natyarangam, Narada Gana Sabha, spreads awareness to the community at the grassroots level about the Arts and the Art form.
Her focus in this project involves elevating the laymen and the learned through Art Forms. Roja is the Academic In charge of the Kalpakkam Dance Society, Tamil Nadu, "Akhil Diksha Foundation " Dance Academy at Ranipet Tamil Nadu and DAV Kalakendram through which Arts have been included in the syllabus as an important co curricular activity.
Roja Kannan also serves as the Examiner in the CCRT Scholarships exams conducted by the Ministry of Culture and also the examiner for the Diploma exam for Bharatanatyam conducted by Dr.J.Jayalalitha Music & Fine Arts University, Chennai and RASA Chennai.
Roja Kannan celebrated her dance school - Bharatha Natyalaya's 30th Anniversary celebration with grandeur on 6 and 7 July 2017, placing it as a tribute to her Guru Adayar K Lakshman and a statement of continuing his legacy.
She was also the convenor of the Natya Darshan conference and performance series organised by Kartik Fine Arts for the year 2022 &2023 under the title "Dvi netram" and "Breaking New Grounds" respectively.
Reflecting upon her journey in the field of Bharatanatyam, she said, "I completely gave myself to the art form, and the art form also gave back to me what I was really expecting from life." Having learnt from legends like Adyar K. Lakshman and Kalanidhi Narayan, she has created a unique space for herself in the industry and is a testament to dedication, passion, hard work, and complete submission to the world of dance.
Official website
Bharatanatyam exponents Dancers from Tamil Nadu Indian classical choreographers Indian dance teachers Indian female classical dancers Living people People from Chennai Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award {{India-dance-stub
Bharatanatyam
''Bharatanatyam'' is a Indian classical dance form that came from Tamil Nadu, India. It is a classical dance form recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas of Hinduism and Jainism.< ...
.
Roja Kannan is one of the most outstanding Bharatanatyam Exponents from Chennai, India having trained under illustrious Gurus Padmashri Awardee Sri. Adyar K.Lakshman and Padma Bhushan Awardee Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan.
Roja has been nurtured in a rich Carnatic South Indian Classical music background and hence she grew up in an atmosphere of music and dance, starting her formal training at a very early age under the illustrious exponent Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr. Vyjayanthimala Bali at her institution "NATYALAYA" in Chennai.
Roja had her first solo debut performance in the year 1972 and has since then reached a glorious stature as a fine performer.
In the last five decades Roja Kannan has been hailed as a pristine performer of Bharatanatyam with a rich experience and expertise. She has hundreds of performances and lecture demonstrations to her credit both in India and Abroad.
Roja has also been featured as a Child Artiste in Tamil cinema in the early 60’s & 70’s.
Roja has participated in the most prestigious International Dance Festival called the " Jacob’s Pillow International Festival of Dance" at Lee, Massachusetts in July 2004. Apart from several others like the "Global Rhythms" Festival of Music & Dance at Oxford, Ohio in November 2006, and "World Harmony Day "Celebrations in April 2013 at Orange & Dubbo near Sydney, Australia. Roja Kannan also presented a lecture and solo thematic program at the Annual Humanitas Festival at the University of Washington at Pullman, WA in the year 2016. The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival has also featured Roja in the years 2007 &2015.
Roja has also travelled to Paris, France in the year 2008 and Copenhagen, Denmark in the year 2018 on ICCR (Indian Council For Cultural Relations) sponsored tours of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Roja Kannan founded BHARATHA NATYALAYA Academy of Music & Dance in the year 1987 with the sole aim to train students in the nuances of the technique of her chosen tradition and thereby assure the propagation and continuity of the Art form in it’s good standards in the time tested Guru-Sishya Parampara. The Centre strives to uphold the genuine values of the unique South Indian Dance Form.
Roja has trained and nurtured hundreds of brilliant students who have all graduated from this Institution and are all gaining name and fame in the renewed performing spheres. Many of her students have also started their own institutions where the legacy of Roja’s Guru and her own works are taught to the next generation of students thus keeping alive the rich tradition and unique pedagogy of the art.
Roja’s artistic works have expanded over the years by conceiving and composing noteworthy dance ballets, both as Solo Thematic and as Group.
Roja has also collaborated with Senior Dancers Priya Murle, N. Srikanth & Aswathy and formed a group called "PARASHAHA" which has choreographed and presented several thematic dance productions since 2002.
For her sustained brilliant work and versatility Roja has been bestowed with several prestigious Awards and Recognitions from various Cultural Organizations and the Government of Tamil Nadu which include:
*Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu,
* Title of "Natana RASA Mamani" from RASA, Chennai.
*"Mayura Nattuvanga Nanmani" from the Mayura Natyanjali Committee,
*Senior Artiste Award from Marudha Natyanjali, Thiruvidaimarudhur,
*Nritya Kala Nipuna from The Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Chennai
*Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan Excellence Award from Vysakhi Nrithyotsava, Vishakapatnam
*Sai Arts International Lifetime Achievement Award, Bengaluru.
*Nrithya Kala Shironmani from The Chennai Cultural Academy Trust,
*Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai Kendra & Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai,
*Best Guru Award from Brahma Gana Sabha, Chennai,
*Acharya Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai,
*Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Endownment Award from Binfield Trust, Chennai,
*Kalacharya Sironmani from VDS Arts Academy, Chennai,
*Woman of Excellence Award from the Probus Club, Chennai,
*Kala Seva Bharathi from Bharat Kalachar, Chennai,
*Natya Ilavarasi from the Sree Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi,
*Sathya Nrithya Sundaram from the Bharathanjali Trust , Chennai,
*Nadana Kalaimani from the Ramalingar Pani Mandram, Chennai,
*P.Obul Reddy Endowment Award for a Senior Dancer from the Natyarangam, Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai,
*Best Senior Dancer Award from The Music Academy Chennai in 2012 during their Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
Roja Kannan exhibited her innate urge to serve the community of artists in her capacity as the General Secretary of ABHAI (Association of Bharatanatyam Artists of India) which she held for eight years, receiving wide acclaim for her committed work for the field and for the artists. She served as a member of the Executive Committee and then as the Vice President. She continued her service as the President of ABHAI for two terms from 2018 to 2024 and won wide appreciation and support from the artistic fraternity for her selfless work to the betterment of hundreds of artistes. Her selfless service to the artistes who suffered losses due to cancellation of programs and classes because of the Pandemic in the years 2020-21 have been hailed as path breaking. Through ABHAI artistes from all over India were identified and financial assistance was given to them in addition to supply of rice and other essential items. The service was not only restricted to artistes in the Bharatanatyam community but to other genres also including those practicing folk arts. Funds were raised through private donations and from Corporates and distributed.
As President of ABHAI Roja Kannan was responsible for the establishment of branches or Shaakhas of ABHAI at various cities throughout India and also the first overseas centre was inaugurated at New York.
Through the Outreach Initiatives several Corporation Schools were identified and teachers were recruited from ABHAI members to handle the Bharatanatyam classes and paid salaries from ABHAI thus creating job opportunities for several young students of the Art.
ABHAI also instituted several Awards to recognize and appreciate the work done by artistes. Staying true to the ideals of ABHAI "For the Artistes, By the Artistes, To the Artistes" Roja Kannan raised the Association to the next level and made it a name to reckon with in the artistic fraternity world over.
Roja, being an active member of the "Jana Bharatham" project of Natyarangam, Narada Gana Sabha, spreads awareness to the community at the grassroots level about the Arts and the Art form.
Her focus in this project involves elevating the laymen and the learned through Art Forms. Roja is the Academic In charge of the Kalpakkam Dance Society, Tamil Nadu, "Akhil Diksha Foundation " Dance Academy at Ranipet Tamil Nadu and DAV Kalakendram through which Arts have been included in the syllabus as an important co curricular activity.
Roja Kannan also serves as the Examiner in the CCRT Scholarships exams conducted by the Ministry of Culture and also the examiner for the Diploma exam for Bharatanatyam conducted by Dr.J.Jayalalitha Music & Fine Arts University, Chennai and RASA Chennai.
Roja Kannan celebrated her dance school - Bharatha Natyalaya's 30th Anniversary celebration with grandeur on 6 and 7 July 2017, placing it as a tribute to her Guru Adayar K Lakshman and a statement of continuing his legacy.
She was also the convenor of the Natya Darshan conference and performance series organised by Kartik Fine Arts for the year 2022 &2023 under the title "Dvi netram" and "Breaking New Grounds" respectively.
Reflecting upon her journey in the field of Bharatanatyam, she said, "I completely gave myself to the art form, and the art form also gave back to me what I was really expecting from life." Having learnt from legends like Adyar K. Lakshman and Kalanidhi Narayan, she has created a unique space for herself in the industry and is a testament to dedication, passion, hard work, and complete submission to the world of dance.
References
External links
Official website
Bharatanatyam exponents Dancers from Tamil Nadu Indian classical choreographers Indian dance teachers Indian female classical dancers Living people People from Chennai Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award {{India-dance-stub