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Saurabha Sangeetha Nritya Kala Parishad (R) was established in Kodagu in 1991-92 to promote Indian classical dance and music. Its main objective was to train children in Bharatanatyam, as well as to introduce and encourage various classical dance styles. The institution has produced hundreds of talented students.
Art thinkers Sharada Raman and K. Raman, a couple, decided to establish Saurabha Kala Parishad so that the artistic efforts and services of their children, Dr. Srividya and Sridhanya, could be recognized in Kodagu and got involved in it.
Dr. Srividya, the principal of the Parishad, showed extraordinary talent in the field of dance from childhood. She won a gold medal at the age of 8 from Sri Srikantadatta Wodeyar of Mysore and has won state and national level awards in many classical dance styles including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. She is a Doordarshan Chandanam Grade Artist, a recipient of the Junior Fellowship of the Ministry of Culture and the Kittur Rani Chennamma State Award. She is also a Ph.D. from Hampi University at a very young age.
Sisters Dr. Srividya and Vidushi Sridhanya are known as the “Sisters of Kodagi” for their excellence in dance and emotional expression. Vidushi Sridhanya has a post-graduate degree in Bharatanatyam and has performed all over India. She has been successfully running a dance school in England for 5 years and now in Germany for 7 years through the Saurabha Cultural and Charitable Foundation she founded.
When the Saurabha family moved from Kodagu to Mangalore, the Parishad established its branch there with the aim of spreading Bharatanatyam in Mangalore and the neighbouring districts. Today, the Mangalore branch has grown with the growth of the discipline, and hundreds of students are learning the dance meaningfully under the guidance of Guru Dr. Srividya.
Remona, a student of the same institute, recently set a world record by dancing continuously for 170 hours. It is not easy to do a continuous dance journey of 7 days. It is exciting to reminisce about the efforts that went into it. The preparations for this celebration in Mangalore are a wonder.
The achievement of a disciple of the discipline of Saurabha Institute
World record of 170 hours of continuous dance
The dance yagna, which began on 21-07-2025 at 10 am, came to a grand end on 28-07-2025 at 12:30 pm.
In this artistic penance that continued for one hundred and seventy hours - that is, seven continuous days - the audience participated in droves and did a great job of inspiring the artist. Especially the students of St. Aloysius College Hostel, where she is studying, were present at night as an integral part of this program and encouraged Remona.
Thousands of children from the college came for 4 days, giving up sleep and water and supporting this challenge.
The Saint Aloysius Institute showed its cultural loyalty and purpose by taking great care of the delicate matters of medical check-ups, physiotherapy, physical massage, consumption of sattvic food, arrangement of ambulance service, etc. for the dancer Remona every fifteen minutes.
During this time, the artiste also had to efficiently handle all her personal needs such as managing physical ailments, bathing, changing clothes, etc. during every fifteen-minute break. Due to all this, this feat remained a great testimony not only of art, but also of unforgettable discipline and dedication.
The 170-hour Bharatanatyam feat was completed without a magnificent costume, but with utmost devotion, discipline and penance. Remona, who started the challenge wearing a chilanke (or gejje / ghunguru) on the first day, continued her dance feat in a simple costume for the remaining days.
It was not just a physical worship, but a journey of self-worship. On the last day, when she had completed her yagna, she tied the Chilanke once again – a symbol of dedication, penance and victory.
To give a steady rhythm to Remona’s 170 hours of dance, the students of the college, along with the disciples of Dr. Srividya’s Saurabha Kala Parishad, sat in the assembly hall day and night, cooperating with each other. This rhythm of devotion gave strength and stability to Remona’s progress.
Even when sleep seemed to be on her mind, the disciples of Saurabha Kala Parishad, the students of St. Aloysius College and Remona’s friends danced with her at every step – giving her strength and helping her focus on the goal.
All the technical and professional arrangements required for the successful execution of this important Bharatanatyam challenge were meticulously made by Saint Aloysius College. The college played a vital role in managing all the delicate aspects like lighting, sound, close supervision, medical check-ups, broadcasting system etc.
Manish, AIO of the US-based organization Utajetti Hoon Oji Khechhiodjis, came from Greater Noida to witness the performance on the final day of this great yajna. He personally witnessed this great achievement with the intention of making it a historical event.
During the challenge, around five cameras were continuously recording videos day and night, and the staff of Utajetti Hoon Oji Khechhiodjis were watching these scenes live. All measures were taken to ensure that every moment of this penance was recorded.
Note:This article is translated by xklsv.com, from shakthidaily.info; the Shakthi Daily is not liable for any errors in translation. If there are any errors in spellings, please mail [email protected]
