​Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant

Celebrated as one of India's leading classical dancers, choreographers , dance scholars and bureaucrat. 

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Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant Speaker

​Dr Ananda Shankar Jayant, is celebrated as one of India’s leading classical dancers, choreographers and dance scholars.

Performing in the two classical styles of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi, Ananda, imbues to the technique and grammar of her dance, a sparkling quality that bristles with life.

Dancing with joy, Ananda, has polished her art to a fine pitch, where, the rigor of her training meets a finely tuned intellect that effortlessly bridges traditional structures with contemporary inputs.

Imprinting her own vision of joy, beauty, values, myths, spirituality, and life experiences, to an impeccable training, Ananda’s life in dance has seen her transcend the physical, and lead her audience on a spiritual and ethereal journey.

Her natural grace and vivacity draws her audience into the vivid and vibrant canvas of her dance, leaving them deeply touched.

With an acclaimed and intense body of work that spans rich mythologies, historical chronicles, searing commentaries on topical issues, philosophical enquiry, poetry, story telling, and humour, Ananda, constantly stretches the boundaries of artistic endeavour, using the grammar and idiom of the classical dance format, making her presentations at once contemporary and evocative.

Engaging in every aspect of dance, Ananda, is a prolific solo and ensemble performer, a much loved teacher and Guru, a critically acclaimed and brilliant choreographer, and is a sought after motivational and leadership speaker and writer.

As the Artistic Director of Shankarananda Kalakshetra, Ananda leads an acclaimed ensemble, besides training and presenting the next generation of Bharatanatyam artists.

Endowed with a natural flair for team playing and organisational acumen for collaborative work, Ananda has presented some of India’s signature festivals and conferences.

A TED speaker in 2009, Ananda’s TED talk is now ranked as one of 50 Amazingly Motivational talks on Youtube as well as one of 12 Incredible TED talks on cancer.

Ananda holds a Masters degree in Ancient Indian History (where she topped her university), a M.Phil in Art History and a Ph.D in Tourism. She actively lectures on breast cancer support and advocacy issues, having successfully battled the illness over the last two years.

A senior officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service, Ananda is currently posted in Secunderabad India.