Guineness record holder from Kerala - Kalamandalam Hemalatha

The 37 year old mother, Hemalatha of Kerala Kalamandalam fame has achieved a very rare record by inscribing her name in the "Guinness world record" and she confirms receipt of the Certificate on 6-1-2011. Her scintillating performance was on the stage at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy in Trichur during September 20-26, 2010 and it was a marathon attempt for 123 hours and 15 minutes. She erased the old record of 108 hours by a Hyderabad based dancer,
Dr. Vettikotta Yadagiri in 2008.

SERIOUS PRACTICE

Kalamandalam Hemalatha, an exponent of the traditional dance form of Kerala, Mohiniyattam used to practice the dance for 10 hours a day. In order to maintain her stamina for th marathon event, she practiced to run about 25 miles a day. After the first unsuccessful attempt in June 2010, which she had to abruptly call off after 63 hours, her determination found no heights and her will power increased to the tilt. This is one of reason she worked hard for days together to achieve the Record.

RARE FEAT

After the unsuccessful performance in June 2010, criticisms were wide that her performance was purely for cheap popularity. She faced lot of comments that she is trying to ruin the traditional dance form viz Mohiniyattam. But she was determined to confirm to the world about the traditional dance form of Kerala viz Mohiniyattam and with great vigour and vitality, she did it. Her voice to tell the world about the Mohiniyattam did echo loudly all around, after the confirmation of the World Record. Her rare feat is still inspiring to similar dancers in Kerala or elsewhere.

ACADEMICS AND AWARDS

After her schooling, she joined Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy in Trichur Dist and she graduated from there. She also secured a Degree in Bharathanatyam, another traditional dance form in Kerala, from Bharathidasan University in Thiruchirapally and Masters Degree in the same Dance form from Chattisgarh deemed University called "Indira Kala Viswa Vidyalay". Hemalatha is a disciple of famous Dr Padma Subramaniam. Hemlata owns a dancing school in Trichur. Inspired from the Guinness world record, she has plans to launch programmes to instill zeal and enthusiasm to the young dancers and to give wide publicity of the traditional dance forms of Kerala. She has plans to proceed on a one month cruise to the schools, voluntary organisations, Youth Clubs, Dance schools in the State of Kerala to spread the message of good health and physical fitness awareness amongst children and women. Some of the major recognitions/achievements attained by Kalamandalam Hemalatha are (1) Kerala Kalamandalam Balakrishna Award (2) Mohiniyattam Fellowship Award (Ministry of HRD, DELHI) (3) Sahithya Puraskaram ( Kerala Govt ), (4) Lasya Mohini Award (Mumbai Malayalee Samajam) (5) JCI Puraskaram, Thrissur. Hemalatha has more than two decades experience in performing arts. Her performances in India and abroad are well attended and appreciated. She has brought laurels to the prestigious Kerala Kalamandam -a pioneer Institute for various art forms. Her efforts to give wide publicity to the temple arts of Kerala is also specially laudable.