Kathak dancer Shruti Gupta has made records of sorts with her performance last week on October 27 at Khardungla Pass (laddakh) in minus twenty four degree centigrade at the height of 18,380 feet for twenty minutes.
She performed kathak bare foot proper in kathak costume on 'Vande Matram'. "I did this recital on 'Vande Matram' to raise the spirit of Indian Armed Force including ITBP and the people of India," she said in her telephonic conversation with The Pioneer, a media partner of her project.
The main propose of this event was to raise the voice against terrorism. "I did this project in association with 'Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and dedicated it to all forces of India deployed in the security of our country. I salute our fores who are doing their duty in the very adverse weather conditions. When it comes to the nation, they are always ready to die," she added.
Interestingly, Shruti, who in 2015 had entered the limca Book of Records for dancing at an altitude of 17,198 feet (5,242m) with the mercury hovering around minus 4 degree Celsius at Baralacha la, has beaten her own record with her latest performance at a greater height and lower temperature.
The classical kathak dancer, hailing from Solan in Himachal Pradesh and studying dance in Patiala, said that after making it to the limca Book of Records last year, she was looking for an opportunity to promote the Indian classical dance. “It took a great amount of hard work to perform at such an altitude but I am thankful to my guru Pandit Rajendra Gangani and the family members who inspired me to achieve the fete,” she added.
She also thanked Director General-ITBP, Krishna Chaudhary and all officers and soldiers of ITBP saying without their support, this would not have been possible.
Shruti hopes to enter the limca Book of Records of the 2018 edition for her feat. The deadline for the 2018 edition is June 30, 2017 and she did the project on October 27 this year.