Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan and wife Shanta Dhananjayan, popularly known as the Dhananjayans have become one of the legendary dancing couples of India. Dhananjayan was born on 30th April 1939 in Payyannur Kerala. An Economics graduate, he joined the Kalakshetra on 5th October 1953. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Dance (Bharatanatyam & Kathakali) .

Shanta Dhananjayan born on 12th August 1943, joined Kalakshetra after finishing her schooling in June 1952. She has a Post Graduate Diploma with distinction in Bharathanatyam and Kathakali from Kalakshetra and was a leading female dancer from 1955 till 1968.  The Dhananjayans have 2 sons. The elder lives in the USA while the younger son Satyajit who's a good dancer is carving out a niche for himself as a photographer. 

Dhananjayan  and Shanta still continue to enthrall audiences all over the world. Despite dancing together for 50 years plus they manage to keep routine and boredom at bay by working on varied themes, involving themselves in different projects, collaborations and workshops apart from being totally involved in guiding their students recitals. 

Major Awards At Home 
* Sangeet Natak Akademi (Presidential Award) 1994 
* Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy Fellowship 1993 
* Kalaimamani Award from Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram, TN Govt. 1990 
*  Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha 1983 .. and Many
Important Overseas Awards 

* Life Magazine Achievement Award (Ohio State Academy Award) 1997 (for the best Theatrical Production of the year '96-97 for 
jungle book dance choreography for Ohio Ballet Company) 
* Plaque of Honour awarded by the Governor of Ohio State for excellent Community Service and 
* International Understanding through Art 1996 
* Munshi Centenary Commemorative Award, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London UK 1988 
* UNESCO Paris, Medallion De Merit 1984