Bandana Nepal Dances for 126 Hours, Enters Guinness World Records

A Nepali teenage dancer, Bandana Nepal, grooved continuously for 126 hours (5 days) and set a Guinness World Record as the ‘Longest Dancing Marathon by an Individual’, a feat previously held by an Indian, NDTV reported.

The 18-year-old Bandana on her way to the Guinness World Records danced uninterrupted at a function held in Kathmandu. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli himself honoured the Bandana for achieving the feat.

Talking to news agency PTI, Bandana Nepal, a resident of Dhankuta district in eastern Nepal, said she received the official confirmation from the Guinness World Records last Saturday.

Bandana broke record

In the process, Bandana surpassed the record set by Kerala woman Kalamandalam Hemlatha, who danced continuously for 123 hours and 15 minutes in 2011. Hemlatha performed on the classical dance form Mohiniyattam and set the record at the age of 37.

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The teenager danced a solo dance on Nepali music. She hails from Dhankuta district in eastern Nepal. She also founded a youth organisation named Bandana Nepal Foundation which works to uplift poor women in Nepal.

How Bandana started dancing

Bandana was drawn to dance at a tender age of five and her younger brother often gave her company. Trained in both Nepal and India, Bandana reportedly danced for about 100 hours continuously to prepare for her record-breaking performance.

She is a Grade XII student, currently pursuing Business Management course in Kathmandu.

Bandana took short breaks for refreshments

According to Xinhua reports, Bandana danced at the Big Foodland restaurant in front of family members, general public and the media, and taking only short breaks for refreshments. She danced for over 5 days and during the short breaks she had energy drinks, milk, and high-nutrient food.

She reportedly started dancing on November 23, 2018 (Friday) and continued till the afternoon of November 28, 2018 (Wednesday).

Bandana's grandmother's support

"She has also set the nation's name at the global front. It's a moment of pride for all of us," Bandana's father, Ram Nepal, told Xinhua.

“I am very glad to see my daughter being able to keep the world record. This achievement is not just of hers, but she has also set the nation’s name at the global front. It’s a moment of pride for all of us,” said Ram Nepal, Nepali Sansar reported.

An elated grandmother, 63, further added, "In our generation, it was difficult for women to even dance or smile publicly, but now times have changed. I feel so proud of my granddaughter."

According to officials, Bandana was inspired to take up this challenge to promote Nepalese music and culture.

Feature Image Credit: apdnepal.com

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