Manjima Mohan returns to Bharatanatyam after nearly 10-year break
Synopsis
Actress Manjima Mohan has returned to Bharatanatyam after nearly a decade away, sharing a heartfelt Instagram clip with a note about rediscovering a classical art form she first learnt at age six. Her candid reflection on regret and joy is resonating with fans and classical dance enthusiasts alike.
Key Takeaways
Manjima Mohan announced her return to Bharatanatyam via an Instagram post with a dance clip.
She began learning Bharatanatyam at age 6 , introduced by her mother, who is a trained dancer.
Her first arangetram was held at Guruvayoor when she was around 10 years old .
Nearly 10 years passed without her practising the classical form, despite doing semi-classical dance in between.
She thanked her guru Leelavathi master for teaching her the piece and encouraging her return.
Actress Manjima Mohan, best known for her roles in Tamil and Malayalam cinema, has revealed that she has returned to practising Bharatanatyam after a gap of nearly 10 years. The announcement came through an Instagram post in which she shared a graceful dancing clip, accompanied by a heartfelt note about her journey with the classical art form.
A Journey That Began at Six
Mohan credited her mother for introducing her to Bharatanatyam at the age of six, noting that her mother was a trained dancer herself. She performed her first arangetram — the formal debut recital — at Guruvayoor when she was around 10 years old, and continued learning through her college years. 'My amma introduced me to Bharatanatyam when I was six, being a trained dancer herself,' she wrote.
A Decade Away from the Art
Despite her early training, Mohan acknowledged that life gradually pulled her away from the discipline. 'And then somehow life happened and almost 10 years went by without me practising,' she wrote. While she engaged in semi-classical dancing during that period, she hesitated to return to Bharatanatyam, feeling too out of practice to attempt it seriously.
Finding Her Way Back
'So this is a small attempt after a really long time and I had almost forgotten how much I loved doing this. I do regret letting go of such a beautiful art form for so long but I am so happy to be finding my way back to it. Here's to many more!' Mohan wrote in her post. She also extended gratitude to her guru, crediting Leelavathi master for teaching her the piece she performed in the clip and for encouraging her to give it a try.
Social Media Candour
This is not the first time Mohan has used social media to reflect openly on personal themes. Earlier this year, she took to her Instagram Stories to note that social media perception about a person is not the ultimate truth. 'But some people speak it with so much certainty as if they truly know you!' she observed. She clarified that the remark was not prompted by a specific incident, adding that digital platforms 'can be used to express what we feel too. Not just to spew hatred.' The remarks drew quiet appreciation from fans who saw them as a call for more empathetic engagement online. Mohan's return to Bharatanatyam is being seen as a positive step — both a personal reconnection and a reminder of the enduring relevance of India's classical dance traditions.
Point of View
With the transition out of college being the most common dropout point. Her candid admission of regret — rather than a polished narrative of unbroken dedication — is what makes this resonate beyond celebrity. It also quietly spotlights the role of gurus like Leelavathi master who keep the tradition alive and accessible for those who return. The real question is whether moments like this translate into sustained revival of classical arts investment, or remain isolated feel-good posts.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Manjima Mohan stop practising Bharatanatyam?
Manjima Mohan has said that 'life happened' after college and nearly 10 years passed without her practising Bharatanatyam. She did semi-classical dancing during that period but hesitated to return to the classical form as she felt out of practice.
When and where did Manjima Mohan perform her first arangetram?
She performed her first arangetram — the formal debut recital in Bharatanatyam — at Guruvayoor when she was around 10 years old. Her mother, a trained dancer herself, introduced her to the art form at the age of six.
Who is Manjima Mohan's dance guru?
Manjima Mohan thanked Leelavathi master for teaching her the piece she performed in her recent Instagram clip and for encouraging her to attempt it after her long break from Bharatanatyam.
What did Manjima Mohan say about social media perception?
Earlier this year, Mohan posted on Instagram Stories stating that social media perception about a person is not the ultimate truth. She cautioned against people speaking with false certainty about others they do not truly know, and said platforms should also be spaces to express genuine feelings rather than only negativity.
Who is Manjima Mohan?
Manjima Mohan is an actress known for her work in Tamil and Malayalam films. She is married to actor Gautham Ram Karthik. She trained in Bharatanatyam from the age of six and performed her debut recital at Guruvayoor around the age of 10.
