Manjima Mohan, the actress and wife of actor Gautham Ram Karthik, has returned to practising Bharatanatyam after a gap of nearly 10 years. She shared a video of herself performing the classical dance on Instagram, offering followers a glimpse of a personal journey that began in childhood and eventually took a back seat as life moved in a different direction. Along with the clip, Manjima reflected on her early training, the long break from regular practice and the happiness she has rediscovered by returning to the art form.
Manjima Recalls Her Early Training in Bharatanatyam
In her Instagram post, Manjima explained that her mother introduced her to Bharatanatyam when she was six years old. Her mother, who was also a trained dancer, played an important role in bringing the classical dance form into her life at an early age.
The actress recalled completing her first arangetram in Guruvayoor when she was around 10. An arangetram traditionally marks a dancer’s formal debut performance after years of training. Manjima continued learning Bharatanatyam through her school years and into college, developing a connection with the dance that stayed with her even after she stopped practising regularly.
However, as she explained in her post, the demands and changes of life gradually took her away from the discipline. Nearly a decade passed without her returning to regular Bharatanatyam practice.
A Long Break Could Not Erase Her Love for Dance
Although Manjima remained away from Bharatanatyam for years, she continued to explore semi-classical dance during the intervening period. Returning to the traditional form, however, was not easy for her. She admitted that being out of practice made her hesitant to begin again, despite the affection she continued to feel for the art.
Describing the experience, the actress said she had almost forgotten how much she loved dancing in this style. Her latest performance, therefore, represents more than simply sharing a dance video; it marks a renewed effort to reconnect with an important part of her childhood.
Manjima also expressed regret over leaving the art form behind for such a long time. At the same time, she conveyed excitement about beginning again and expressed hope that the latest attempt would lead to many more performances.
Her message offered an honest account of how interests and passions can sometimes fade into the background as personal and professional responsibilities take priority. It also showed that returning to a long-abandoned pursuit can bring back a sense of joy that had been missed.
Actress Thanks Her Dance Teacher for the Opportunity
Manjima acknowledged the role of her guru, Leelavathi Master, in helping her prepare for the performance featured in the video. She thanked her teacher for guiding her through the dance piece and encouraging her to give it a try after such a long interval.
The actress wrote, “Thank you @leelavathimaster master for teaching me this beautiful piece and for pushing me to give it a try.”
Her appreciation highlighted the importance of a teacher’s guidance when a dancer returns to a demanding classical discipline. Bharatanatyam requires attention to posture, rhythm, facial expressions and precise movements, all of which can take time to regain after an extended break.
By crediting her guru, Manjima also recognised the support that helped her take the first step back into regular practice. Her post was received as a personal update about her renewed interest in dance rather than an announcement of a professional performance schedule.
Manjima’s Earlier Message About Social Media Perception
Earlier this year, Manjima also used Instagram Stories to share her thoughts on how people are judged through social media. She pointed out that the impression users form about someone online does not necessarily reflect the full truth about that person’s life or character.
“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 wrote.
The actress anticipated that followers might wonder whether a particular incident had prompted the message. She clarified that nothing specific had happened and described it as a thought she wanted to share.
Manjima also emphasised that social platforms can serve as spaces where people express their feelings, rather than being used only to spread negativity or hatred. Her comments reflected a broader concern about the certainty with which online users sometimes judge people they may not personally know.
With her latest dance video, Manjima has shared a different, more personal side of her life, revisiting a passion that began when she was a child. Her return to Bharatanatyam signals a fresh chapter in her relationship with the classical art form, one she hopes to continue exploring in the years ahead.