March 24, 2026 — A professor from Kerala has won the internet’s admiration after a video of her energetic dance performance went viral online.
The dancer, Arunima J R, impressed viewers with her smooth moves to the popular song Muqabla while wearing a traditional saree.
Arunima is a 31-year-old Assistant Professor of Bharatanatyam at St Teresa’s College. Her performance took place during the inauguration of the arts festival Pragati 2026 at Ilahia College of Engineering and Technology on February 11, 2026.
She had been invited as the chief guest for the event.
A Powerful Dance Performance on Stage
During the performance, Arunima appeared on stage wearing a light blue Banarasi saree with silver prints. She kept her look simple with loose hair and minimal jewellery.
She danced alongside a group of students to the energetic track Muqabla, which originally featured iconic dancer Prabhu Deva in the film Street Dancer 3D.
What impressed viewers the most was how confidently she performed the fast choreography while wearing a saree. She also blended a few Bharatanatyam movements into the routine.
Social Media Applauds Her Confidence
Soon after the video appeared online, social media users began praising her performance.
Many viewers appreciated her energy, confidence and grace. Several people also admired how easily she danced in traditional attire.
Some popular reactions included:
- “A perfect example that dancing in a saree is absolutely possible.”
- “What a graceful performance!”
- “You nailed it. Truly inspiring.”
One viewer joked that their own saree would fall off if they tried dancing with that much energy.
The audience at the event also responded with loud applause. They even requested an encore performance.
Arunima returned to the stage and performed again, this time to the hit song Kala Chashma from the film Baar Baar Dekho.
A Lifelong Journey With Dance
Dance has been a part of Arunima’s life since early childhood. Her talent was first noticed when she was just three and a half years old by a preschool teacher.
From that moment, she continued learning and performing. She trained seriously in Bharatanatyam and participated in many school arts festivals.
During her school years, she also explored other forms of dance such as Oppana, Margamkali, folk dance and group performances.
Academic Excellence Alongside Art
Arunima later completed a diploma in Bharatanatyam from the Kalakshetra Foundation. She also performed strongly in academics.
She earned a first-rank MA from the University of Madras and later cleared the NET exam, which helped her move into teaching.
Currently, she is pursuing her PhD at Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies.
She has also received a Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, recognizing her dedication to classical dance.
A Performance That Inspired Many
Arunima’s viral performance highlights how tradition and modern dance can blend beautifully.
Her confidence, energy and love for dance have inspired thousands of viewers online. For many people, the video is a reminder that passion and talent can shine anywhere — even in a classroom, on a stage, or across the internet.
