COLOMBO – More than 5,000 Bharatnatyam dancers from Sri Lanka, India, and other countries gave a scintillating, choreographed performance in Colombo on Sunday (June 14) to earn a Guinness World Record citation for the largest dance lesson in one of India’s oldest classical dance forms.
The colourful and mesmerizing event was organised jointly by the Sangamam Global Academy of India and the Samgamizh Liya of Sri Lanka at the Galle Face Green promenade in the capital.
After the performers, dressed in bright traditional attire, displayed their talent under the eyes of their guru, a Guinness World Record certificate was awarded to India’s High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, who received it on behalf of the performers and organisers.
Jha said the performance would further cement people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka. He also congratulated the dancers and organisers for achieving global recognition.
Among those who watched the show were Sri Lankan cabinet minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar and deputy ministers Sundaralingam Pradeep and Mahinda Jayasinghe, besides a large audience.
Bharatnatyam is an ancient Indian classical dance form originating from the imposing temples of Tamil Nadu.
The dance is renowned for its precise footwork, expressing hand gestures and attractive poses as it seeks to tell stories from Hindu scriptures.
