Lifetime Arts Achievement Awards 2025
Biography
A lawyer by training and dancer by choice, his devotion to dance is absolute. He has trained under a lineage of illustrious Gurus including Bharathanatyam Bhanumathi Krishnan (Bhanumathi Dance Academy, Johor Bahru, Malaysia), Kamakshi Jayaraman (Kala Mandir, Singapore), Padma Shri Datuk Ramli Ibrahim (Sutra Dance Theatre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Adyar K Lakshman (Bharatha Choodamani, Chennai, India), Santha Bhaskar (Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society, Singapore), Shanta Ponnudurai (Singapore Indian Fine Arts, Singapore), VP Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan (Bharathakalanjali, Chennai, India) in Bharatanatyam and Padmashri Datuk Ramli Ibrahim (Sutra Dance Theatre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Gajendra Kumar Panda (Thridhara Academy, Orissa, India) in Odissi.
Bharathanatyam and beyond
Ajith approaches Bharathanatyam not merely as a dance style or repertoire but uses its vast vocabulary as a language to express his thoughts and creative impulses. With his "Nureyev appeal"(Los Angeles Times) Ajith has shone on stages around the world, including prestigious venues such as the Lincoln Centre and the Joyce Theatre Broadway.
Over 30 years of teaching experience has made this "Master craftsman of Bharathanatyam from Malaysia" (quote: Natyaacharya V P Dhananjayan) a much sought after choreographer, known for his expertise in complex and vibrant dance works.
He is the principal and artistic director of his own academy Suvarna Fine Arts which was established in 1993. Suvarna has several branches conducted by graduates of the academy.
Recognitions
- Nritya Varidhi by GOPIO Singapore Chapter
- Natya Kala Nipuna by Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society Singapore
- Tokoh Seni Budaya Johor by Johor State, Malaysia
- Aryabhata International Award by Karnataka State Government, India in recognition of his contribution to the field of Bharatha Natyam
- Natya Acharya Choodamani by Bharatha Choodamani Academy Chennai of Guru Adyar K Lakshaman
- Johor Social Heroes Award by IMSHA (Johor Government of Malaysia)
- Honorary Doctorate in Performing Arts by St. Mother Theresa International University affiliated to Harvard University
- Natya Mamani by Ganesalaya (Kuala Lumpur)
- Debaprasad Das Prathiba Award for contribution to the Arts (Bhubaneswar, Orissa)
Achievements
- 2006 ~ Nominated for best choreography and costume design by the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards for home production “Echoing Anklets”
- 2003 ~ First Malaysian to perform at the famed Lincoln Center, New York, USA
- ~ First Malaysian to perform at the Joyce Theatre, Broadway, New York
- 2000 ~ First male Indian classical dancer to be featured in the International Arts Festival,
- Frankfurt, Germany
- 1996 ~ Voted as the best male dancer in the December season of the International Music and Dance Festival in Chennai, India by the Shankarabharanam Trust