Remona Pereira: A 170‑Hour Bharatanatyam Marathon

Breaking the Record

sumanavathi j

16 days ago

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Remona Evette Pereira, a final-year BA student from St. Aloysius College in Mangaluru, has set a new world record with a 170‑hour nonstop Bharatanatyam performance, officially recognized by the Golden Book of World Records — surpassing the previous record of 127 hours.

The marathon began on July 21, 2025 at 10 am, and concluded precisely at 12 noon on July 28, spanning a full seven days of dedicated performance.

Performance Format & Discipline

• She danced for a total of 10,200 minutes (170 hours).

• Allowed only 15‑minute breaks every 3 hours, strictly adhering to endurance guidelines.

• The marathon opened with a prayer to Lord Ganesha and closed with a devotional performance dedicated to Goddess Durga, highlighting the spiritual depth woven into the art form.

Preparation & Background

• Remona began learning Bharatanatyam at age three, under Guru Shrividya Muralidhar in Yeyyadi and completed her Rangapravesha in 2019.

• She has trained in multiple styles including semi‑classical, western, Bollywood, Latin, and acrobatic dance forms.

• For months before the attempt, she practiced 5–6 hours daily, balancing academic life with intensive rehearsal to build stamina.

Community & Institutional Support

• Remona’s journey enjoyed the unwavering support of her mother, Gladis Pereira, dance mentors, and volunteers who kept her motivated and cared for around the clock.

• Academic and local dignitaries—from the college Vice Chancellor to the Deputy Commissioner, bishops, and MLAs—attended and lauded her commitment.

• A full medical team, logistical planning, hydration routines (bananas, curd, tender coconut water), and continuous documentation were integral to the attempt.

Recognition & Legacy

• Remona is the first person ever to complete a Bharatanatyam marathon of this duration, and her record is now part of the Golden Book of World Records.

• Dr. Manish Vishnoi (Golden Book of Records) called her feat “unimaginable,” while her guru called it “worthy of golden letters”.

• She had previously received the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2022 and holds other national record recognitions since 2017

💫 Why It Matters

Remona’s marathon is not just a record—it’s a testimony to human endurance, classical art’s continuing relevance, and community spirit. It underscores how deep-rooted traditions like Bharatanatyam can inspire a new generation through determination and collective pride.

Her performance beautifully intertwined spirituality, discipline, and grace—celebrated not just by dance lovers but by wider society as a symbol of cultural unity and artistic excellence