Achievements
A legacy of excellence, recognized across stages and nations.
Major Awards & Honors
- Rajyotsava Abhinandana Puraskar – Kannada Sahitya Parishath, Mangaluru (2008)
- Aryabhata International Award (2008)
- Karnataka Natyamayura Award (2009)
- Best Performer Award – Suvarna TV’s Super Star of Karnataka reality show (2009)
- National Natya Mayura Prashasthi – For Yakshagana Ekavyakthi performance (2010)
- Rajyotsava Award – South Canara District (2010))
- Yuva Prathibha Puraskar – Government of Karnataka (2011)
World Record Recognition
- Asia Book of Records & India Book of Records
- Recognized for creating and presenting 75 unique Talaavadhana experiments in Bharatanatyam — a first-of-its-kind global contribution to rhythm in classical dance
Academic Achievements
- M.A. in Bharatanatyam – University of Madras, Chennai
- M.A. in Economics – Qualified Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET)
- Fourth Rank – Vidwath Degree Exam (State Level)
- Topper – 2nd PUC Kannada Medium
- Kannada Madhyama Award – Government of Karnataka
- Student Scholarship – Karnataka Music & Dance Academy (2007)
- Rastrabhasha Certificate in Hindi
- Prathama Deeksha in Sanskrit
Original Choreography & Literary Contributions
- Composed over 30 original Bharatanatyam pieces, including Alaripu, Mela Prapthi, Jathiswaram, Daru Varnam, and Thillana
- Written lyrics, jathis, and korvais used in arangetrams, stage productions, and academic examinations
- Compositions featured in:
- KSEEB (Karnataka Board)
- Gangubai Hangal Music University
- Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Exams
- International performances in Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Muscat
Workshops & Teaching Distinctions
- Conducted 98+ workshops on Tala Prakriya and Bharatanatyam
- Trained 2000+ students across 12 countries including USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, and UAE
- Designed and implemented Talaavadhana in Bharatanatyam as a certificate course at:
- Reva University, Bengaluru
- Alva’s Degree College, Moodbidri (under Mangalore University)
Titles & Institutional Recognitions
- Tala Praveena – Sri Siddartha Institute of Business Management, Tumakuru
- Kala Surendra Award – Sri Vishwa Yaksha Nritya Kala Nikethana, Nelavara
- Nrityaradhana Award – Radhakrishna Nritya Nikethana (R), Udupi
- Rajatha Sri Award – Sri Sharada Kala Kendra Trust (R), Puttur
- Sourabha Youth Award (2008)
Felicitations & Appreciations
Manjunath has been honoured as a guest of honour, resource person, or featured artist by leading cultural institutions, including:
Many others across India and abroad
- Reva University, Bengaluru
- Oxford College of Science, Bengaluru
- Alva’s College, Moodbidri
- Manasha Dance Academy, Assam
- Bhushan’s Academy, Mysuru
- Gujarat Anugraha Dance Academy, Gujarat
- Sanathana Natyalaya, Mangalore
- Nritya Kuteera, Bengaluru
- Ganesha Nruthyalaya, Bengaluru
- Kumar Performing Arts Center, Mysuru
- Srilaya Academy, USA
- Nritya Vasantha, Kundapura
- AKDTO, Kerala
