Below is a selection of the dancers who are part of the company. New performers are often brought in for specific shows, so please visit again to learn more about those currently working with us. Click on the photos to view larger versions

DIVYA DIVAKARAN began her training in the dance form of Bharathanatyam at the tender age of seven. She received preliminary training in the art form from Rekha Gopinath in Kochin, Kerala. After continuing training under Rekha Gopinath for five years she moved to Canada where she joined Sri Laasya Kalakendra where she trained under the guidance of Dr. Alakananda Nath. With Dr. Alakananda Nath, Divya continued learning in the Kalakshethra style of the art form, where besides improving her nritta, she delved into the abhinaya and theory aspects of the dance form as well. Divya has performed in various platforms with Sri Laasya Kalakendra and has helped bring to life many remarkable creations of Dr. Alakananda Nath. Divya is currently pursuing her undergraduate studies at McMaster University with the ambition of entering the medical field.

ANTHONY GUERRA brings 15+ years of experience as a professional dancer, actor, and choreographer. Anthony is originally from Trinidad and Tobago where he learned and studied dances of his culture. He also studied theatre and music at the University of the West Indies. Anthony has performed with a number of well-known dance troupes in Trinidad including Malick Folk (traditional dance), Noble Douglas, Carol La Chappele, Nrityanjali Dance Theatre (Indian dance) and Astor Johnson Dance Company (fusion modern and traditional). Anthony has been in Toronto since 1996 and has performed with Ballet Creole, C.O.B.A. (Collective of Black Artists), Canbouley, Dance Caribe, Caribbean Folk Performers, Hummingbird Dance, Janak Khendry Dance Company (Indian dance) and OMO Dance Company (modern dance). In addition to performances, Anthony has been actively involved in researching the African contribution to many of today’s dances, history and tradition. This interest has led him in pursuit of the African roots of Argentinean tango.

SINTHUJAA JEYARAJAH trained in the Vazhavoor style of Bharatha Natya under the tutelage of Nirainjana Chantru . She performed her Arangetram in 2002 and was one of the first six graduates of Kalaimanram Academy of Fine Arts to achieve the title "Niruththa Niraignar". She is also learning Carnatic Violin from Kesavamurthy Senthivel. Sinthu has been performing with the Janak Khendry Dance Company for the past five years and has danced in Upanishad, Moods of the Rhythms, Gayatri and Chandrakauns. She performed abroad with the company in Mexico and South Africa. Sinthu has achieved her Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree at McMaster University and is now pursuing an internship at JAN Kelley Marketing.

 

BIPLOB KAR started his dance training in three classical dance styles with important dance teachers of Bangladesh; Kathak with Guru Jinath Jahan, Manipuri with Laila Hasan and Bharatnatyam with Guru Belayeth Hussein. In 1992 he was selected by the cultural ministry of Bangladesh to study Kathak at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi India with a scholarship from the government if India, where he studied with illustrious Kathak Gurus such as Pundit Birju Maharaj, Guru Reba Bidtharthee and Guru Vashwati Misra and completed his degree in 1996. He received his Visharad degree in Kathak with honours from Bhat Khande Sangeet Vidyapith in Luchnow. In 2001 Kar received a scholarship from ITI to study ballet in Olfseg Vienna, Austria and traveled extensively in Europe. He has also trained as a musician.

  
SAGANA MAHENDIRAN is a student of Kalaimanram Academy of Fine Arts and has been dancing Bharathanatyam for over 13 years. After completing her dance education, she passed her teacher’s grade exam which required her to write a 10,000 word thesis on Bharathanatyam and its effects in Indian culture. After this, she went on to complete her Bharathanatyam Arangetram in 2005. That very same year, she officially graduated as a dance instructor and received the title "Niruththa Niraignar". Since then, she has actively taken part in her dance school as an assistant teacher. She has performed at various functions, charity and annual shows. She had also participated in Janak K. Khendry’s "Upanishad" production as guest artist. She has competed in many dance competitions as well as perform for various organizations. She is very focused on her academic studies and is currently studying in grade 12. Outside of dance, she volunteers at the Trillium Hospital in Mississauga as well as other medical institutions.

 
 
NINTHUJA NANDESAN Ninthuja Nadesan is a senior student of Smt. Nirainjana Chantru at Kalaimanram Academy of Fine Arts. She has finished her Arangetram on July 16th of 2005. She has been trained in Bharathnatyam over ten years. Also her desires for dance had begun at the age of five. Since her Arangetram, she has participated in many events to demonstrate her skills and knowledge of this art. Her desire for this art continues greatly for which she has also been trained with limited amount of Carnatic music to help develop her knowledge for Bharathanatyam. She currently attends University of Toronto Scarborough for Biochemistry Specialist Program with hopes and dreams of entering the medical field.

TANIYA PAPINAZATH started her dance training in Toronto under the tutelage of Smt Lata Pada. She moved to Chennai, India in the late 90s and took up intensive training in bharatanatyam under the able guidance of Smt Radhika Kalyani (disciple of K.J. Sarasa and Smt Chitra Visweswaran) and A. Lakshman. She has performed extensively as a soloist and in group productions at different venues in India during the dance festival. She has been training under Smt Anuradha Jagannathan for the past two years. Taniya is also well versed in Carnatic music. She was fortunate enough to learn from Veena Vidushi Smt Padmavathi Ananthagoplan (sister of Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman). When Taniya is not busy pursuing her musical and dance interests, she is an aspiring scientist completing her Masters degree in Medical Sciences from the University of Toronto.

   
KAVITA PATHINATHER is a disciple of her Guru, Smt. Nirainjana Chandru from Markham, Ontario and has been learning Bharatha Natya since 1997 in the distinct form of Vazhavoor Style. In 1999, she performed her Junior Arangetram. After extensive practice through recitals and theoretical examinations held by the Kalaimanram Academy of Fine Arts, she performed her debut Arangetram performance in the year 2002. Thereafter, she has completed her Teachers Diploma with the academy in the year 2005. She is currently actively involved with teaching, choreographing and performing at many traditional cultural events such as the CNE and Kondatam Tradeshow. Kavita presently works as a Teacher with Kalaimanram Academy of Fine Arts in the Brampton district. Academically, she has an Honours Bachelors of Commerce Degree from McMaster University and currently works in the financial markets.

 
MALA PISHARODY started her dance training at an early age of eight in three classical dance styles Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathakali with very distinguished Gurus in Kerala. Her Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam training was with Guru Venkatesh and Kathakali training was with Narippatta Narayanan Namboodri. Her classical Carnatic music training was with Mrs. Babitha Narayan and Mrs. Suma Sreedharan. She has completed her Ganabhooshanam diplome course in music. Mala is a graded performing artist in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam with Trivandrum Doordarshan Kendra. She has performed extensively at prestigious venues in all three dance styles: including the Balaji Kala Bhavan, Melpapathur Auditorium, Guruvayoor, Nrithyosavam, Vadakkunathan Temple -Thrissur, Mookaambika Temple - Karnataka, Brihadeshshwar Temple – Tanjaur, Island Tourism Festival – Andamans and other cities like Palghat, Coimbatore and Trivandrum. Mala is a post-graduate in commerce. Mala participated in UPANISHAD in 2004.

  
HARINNYA RAGASEKERAN began her training in the Vazhuvoor style of bharathanatyam at the age of four, under the tutelage of Smt. Nirainjana Chanthru at the Kalaimanram Academy of Fine Arts. Along with furthering her knowledge in bharathanatyam, she is currently training in karnatic vocal and veena under the guidance of Smt. Kalyani Sutharsan. Throughout the years she has performed in many events and competitions, many of which were based on the ideal of bringing awareness and appreciation to the Indian arts. She is currently in her second year at McMaster University, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Honours Life Sciences, with a degree in psychology. This is her first performance with the Janak Khendry Dance Company.

JENETA RUBARANJAN is a disciple of Guru Nirainjana Chantru, director of Kalaimanram Dance Academy. She has been learning Bharathanatyam for several years. Jeneta continuously demonstrates exceptional dance skills during examinations and has successfully completed her Grade 5 exam with distinctions. In addition, Jeneta has completed her Bharathanatyam Arangetram on July 4, 2009. Mr. Janak Khendry witnessed her Arangetram as the chief guest, where he invited her to join Janak Khendry Dance Company. This is Jeneta’s first opportunity to dance with a professional dance company. She has also performed at various other occasions, such as talent shows, temples, and annual dance programs held by the Kalaimanram Dance Academy.

   
KALA VAGEESAN- a senior member of JANAK KHENDRY DANCE COMPANY started her Bharatanatyam dance training in Sri Lanka with Guru Nathdiai Paragasigam. In 1982 she won the National Prize in Dance. In 1988 her family moved to India and Kala continued her training with Marmatha Iyakannutecican and later joined the prestigious Kalakshetra and had her Arangetram in 1996. While in Madras she danced with some of the most important dancer and dance companies: Lakshmi Vishvanathan, Usha Vasantkumar, Savithri Ganganath Rao, Geetha Ragavan and Sutha Vigiragavan. In 1998 she moved to Canada. In Toronto she has worked with Meneka Thakkar Dance Company productions of Sitayana and Muktinad. Since 1998 Kala has participated in several major presentations of JANAK KHENDRY DANCE COMPANY "PANCHAKALYANAKA" "SOUNDS OF THE HILLS", "GAYATRI", "WOMEN LIBERATED" and "RAIN OF NECTAR". In 1998 she traveled with the Company to Philadelphia and played the female lead in "PANCHAKALYANAKA" at the International Jaina Conference, in 1999 in London she played the female lead in the World Premiere of "SOUNDS OF HILLS", "WOMEN LIBERATED", in 1999 at the Harbourfront for India’s Independence Day Celebrations, in 2001 in "LET DANCING FEET SHAKE THE EARTH" a fund raiser and in 2001, 2002 and 2003 at the Dance Ontario- Dance Weekend and 'THE GODS ARE DANCING". Kala participated in UPANISHAD in 2004.

OUR DANCERS IN INDIA:

JANAK KHENDRY DANCE COMPANY is associated with three dancers in India: SHESHADRI IYENGER, UDAY KUMAR and SATYA RAJU, who collaborate for performances abroad.