The first in the series was Sita Swayamvaram where Dhananjayan was Rama and Shanta played the role of Lava. Sita Swayamvaram became so popular that they had to hold several programmes across India.

Speaking about their romance, Dhananjayan says, "It was not love at first sight as we were just kids when we first met. But slowly, I realised that I was in love with her. I was apprehensive as I was from a very poor family and she was from an upper middle class family. I knew she was planning to go away after graduation, so after one rehearsal, I proposed to her but she didn't say anything. Only after she left Kalakshetra for Malaysia after her education in 1963, that she said, 'I am yours'."

Soon after Shanta left India, Dhananjayan, along with the troupe from Kalakshetra, visited Singapore to perform at the Singapore National Theatre. He met Shanta's father there, who enquired about his background.

When her father asked Shanta, "Are you prepared for a life full of struggles as he has a big family to support", she replied in the affirmative.

In 1966, Shanta and Dhananjayan got married at the Guruvayoor Temple in Kerala.

Recalling their most memorable productions, the Dhananjayans recall the Ramayana series. Another production, Andal Charitam, was an unforgettable experience for Dhananjayan, as he played Andal's father.

"My guru Sharada Hoffman played Andal. She was a very strict teacher and a perfectionist. So, to dance with her as her father was very challenging," Dhananjayan recalls fondly.