Ananda Shankar Jayant, trained in both Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi started her training in dance at the age of four. She started her training under Sharada Keshava Rao and later with KN Pakkiriswamy Pillai (brother of Sri KN Dandayuthapani Pillai). She joined Kalakshetra at the age of 11. After her diploma in kalakshetra, Ananda returned to Hyderabad and pursued her education and dance. She trained in Kuchipudi under Pasumarthy Ramalinga Shastry.

Ananda’s choreographies span the spectrum of both classical Indian dance - Bharatanatyam, and Kuchipudi. Ananda's critically acclaimed productions include 'Sri Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum,' 'Buddham Saranam Gachchami,' 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull,' 'What About Me?' 'Expressions of Truth' on the ideals of the Mahatma, 'Darshanam - An Ode to the Eye' and many more.

Ananda holds a Masters degree in Ancient Indian 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.

She started her dance school in Shankarananda Kalakshetra Hyderabad, where students are taught dance, theory, music, yoga, Nattuvangam, costume, stage, sound & light techniques thus, providing a holistic training in the performing arts.

A senior officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service, Ananda is currently posted in Secunderabad India. Anant Shankar Jayant was conferred the award of Nritya Choodamani in 2006 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Bharatanatyam in 2009.