But destiny had something else in store for them. Malaysia - Singapore Airlines offered them a tour of the South East Asian countries, and the Airlines publicised the programme as one by the Dhananjayans' dance troupe! There was no mentioning of Bharata Kalanjali in the brochure.

"So, we have to thank them for making us the Dhananjayans. They also attached the icon of a male and female dancer on the publicity brochure, which we took as our image later. From then on, people started calling us the Dhananjayans and we always danced together. There were not many dancing couples at that time, or even now," the couple says.

The Dhananjayans describe themselves as two bodies with one soul; he works as the architect while she is the engineer.

Dhananjayan explains, "I do the research, choreography and designing while giving it perfect shape is Shanta's job. We mutually understand, agree and respect each other. That's why the Dhananjayans work."

The Dhananjayans' artistic journey has been smooth and successful so far.

"Call us fortunate but we have put in a hundred per cent devotion, discipline and dedication. We started working without expecting any rewards. We never had anyone to project us; we never had any money to market ourselves. We have succeeded purely on merit," they say.

The biggest break for the couple was an invitation in 1973 from the Theatre de la Ville in France where they performed continuously for 30 days. "We were really surprised to get the invitation. God has been quite kind to us. We feel God has been watching us like a Rasika."

From then on, the hananjayans have been touring all over the world every year, without any breaks.

The Dhananjayans have depicted everything -- from illustrious stories to the puranas, from Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book to political satires --through their dance recitals.