Mangaluru’s Remona Evette Pereira Sets World Record with Unstoppable Dance Spirit
The record-breaking dancer showcased unmatched dedication through a 170-hour marathon.
A Historic Week for Mangaluru
It was a week Mangaluru will not forget. Remona Evette Pereira, only 20 years old, danced Bharatanatyam continuously for seven straight days. “I never thought I would actually finish,” she admitted later, smiling despite obvious exhaustion. The incredible 170-hour performance earned her a place in the Golden Book of World Records.
The Marathon Performance
The marathon started on July 21, 2025, at Robert Sequeira Hall in St. Aloysius College. Friends, family, and well-wishers filled the hall as she began with a traditional Pushpanjali. She danced for three hours at a time and took only a 15-minute break for water and a few bites of food. On July 28, she ended with a moving performance dedicated to Goddess Durga. The final applause lasted almost ten minutes.
“Her footwork never faltered,” said a spectator who attended on the third day. “We couldn’t believe her energy after so many hours.” Videos of the performance quickly went viral online, and supporters from across India sent messages.
Years of Training and Education
Remona’s success came after years of rigorous training. She has studied Bharatanatyam for 13 years under Guru Dr. Shrividya Muralidhar. Alongside her dance training, she also pursued her education seriously. She studied Bachelor of Arts at St. Aloysius College in Mangaluru, where she developed a strong interest in Indian culture and literature. “She was always determined,” her guru said. “When she told me about this record, I knew she would do it.”
Remona Pereira had previously won the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2022 and once set a record for using the most props during a one-hour recital.
A Spiritual Journey Beyond Endurance
The young dancer said the marathon felt like more than just a physical challenge. “It was spiritual for me. Bharatanatyam is prayer. Every movement felt like connecting with something bigger,” she explained. Observers said this calm focus was visible even during the toughest hours of the performance.
Celebration Across the City
Back in Mangaluru, the community celebrated her historic feat. Local media covered every update, and cultural organizations organized small events in her honor. “She has made the city proud,” said one official from a regional dance academy.
Now that the world record is secured, Remona is looking ahead. She wants to travel, perform more, and teach young dancers about India’s classical traditions. “If one child sees my performance and falls in love with Bharatanatyam, that will be enough,” she said softly.
Her story is already inspiring others. Many dancers have messaged her, saying her record attempt gave them the courage to work harder. The seven-day Bharatanatyam marathon will remain one of the most remarkable achievements in Indian classical dance history.
