Bharatanatyam is a form of Indian classical dance that requires one to move almost all parts of the body and is difficult to do for long periods of time.

Despite that, 36 Malaysian women managed to perform Bharatanatyam for 35 hours straight!



The gruelling performance, done on a relay basis, has now made its way to the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for the “Longest Non-stop Traditional Dance Relay” and “Most Number of All-Women Participants in a 24-Hour Barathanatyam Relay”.

The performance has also gained entry into the Asia Book of Records for the “Longest Non-Stop Traditional Dance Relay.”

Dancing their way into the record books

According to a report by Mashable SEA quoting a report in Free Malaysia Today, the performance was organised by Pertubuhan Kesenian & Kebudayaan SRFA in collaboration with the Sri Rathakrishanan Music & Arts Center.

The dancers, who were also from the Sri Rathakrishanan Music & Arts Center, danced from 8am on May 1 to 7pm on May 2.


“The 35 hours were on a relay basis; each dancer performed back-to-back,” one of the dancers, Harrshini Kalaivaanan, told Free Malaysia Today.

The women were trained virtually for the event by the centre’s founder Nalini Rathakris.

The performance was also showcased virtually, with no audience members present physically due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Good job, girls!