Over 100 Malaysians In World-Record Bharatanatyam Dance

By S. Kisho Kumari KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- More than 100 Malaysian Indian classical dancers were among the 7,150 Bharatanatyam artistes from six countries who set a new Guinness world record at the Natesar  Kauthvamevent held in Chidambaram, India, last Sunday. The 16-minute dance offering to Lord Nataraja was organised by the Thillai Natyanjali Trust at the  Thillai Nataraja Temple and saw the participation of dancers from Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, New Zealand and the United States. A Malaysian participant, K. Sai Raja Rajeswary, 39, said it was the first-ever record for the Thiruchendur Dance and Music Academy in the Klang Valley. It had taken her two months to train all the student dancers, from the beginner to the senior levels. “We were so excited to be a part of the record and to make Malaysia proud. We hope to join many more events like this in the future,” she told Bernama. Natyanjali Arts Academy founder R. Kogilaah Nisha, 44, said the record would be another milestone for Indian classical dance in the country to move forward into exposing local talents to the world stage. “I hope we can also organise a world record event in Malaysia soon,” she said. The record was certified by Guinness World Records’ adjudicator Rishi Nath. -- BERNAMA