In an extraordinary celebration of dedication, endurance, and Indian classical artistry, Remona Evette Pereira, a BA student at St Aloysius Deemed to be University in Mangaluru, has etched her name into the Golden Book of World Records by completing a 170-hour Bharatanatyam dance marathon-a first of its kind in the world.
The record-breaking journey commenced on July 21, marked with a traditional prayer to Lord Ganesha, invoking blessings for an obstacle-free path. It culminated seven days later, on Monday afternoon, with a concluding tribute to Goddess Durga-symbolising strength, resilience, and feminine power.
Record-breaking Bharatanatyam
Remona performed continuously for 10,200 minutes, taking only a 15-minute break every three hours. During this marathon, she covered the complete vocabulary of Bharatanatyam-intricate footwork (adavus), facial expressions (abhinaya), hand gestures (mudras), and physical postures (karanas), demonstrating her technical prowess and spiritual connection to the dance form.
Her performance was not just a physical challenge; it demanded unwavering mental focus and emotional strength. Dr. Shrividya Muralidhar, her Guru, called it "a divine feat" and a monumental moment for Tulu Nadu and Indian culture.
A heartwarming celebration and community support
The final moments were emotional and festive. As she received her certificate on stage, her fellow dancers greeted her with a graceful Bharatanatyam procession, followed by a special tribute performance that reflected her remarkable journey.
Remona expressed gratitude to her mother Gladis Pereira, who stood by her side throughout, as well as her teachers, friends, and classmates. “They never stopped believing in me. Every time I felt exhausted, someone would remind me-you can do it,” she shared.
Social media buzz and public applause
Throughout the week-long marathon, the performance venue was filled with supporters-students, teachers, dance lovers, and even political figures. People travelled from distant towns to witness the history-making event, while social media platforms buzzed with live updates, clips, and words of admiration.
Dr. Manish Vishnoi, India representative for the Golden Book of Records, presented the certificate and revealed, “She was eligible after 120 hours. But she insisted on dancing for seven full days. That’s rare determination.”
