NJ Dance Teacher Leads 786 to Guinness World Record

When Bina Menon stepped in front of hundreds of dancers wearing traditional white and gold costumes, she saw what looked like an "ocean of gold" stretching before her.

The founder of Kalashri School of Arts in Parsippany was chosen from instructors across the United States and Canada to lead the largest Mohiniyattam dance lesson ever recorded. On August 8 at the Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania, she taught 786 verified participants during the FOKANA International Convention, shattering the previous threshold of 250 dancers.

"It was supposed to be just a dance, and all of a sudden it became like a class," Menon said. "They needed just one teacher to teach this whole class, and they picked me."

The Federation of Kerala Associations in North America organized the record attempt to celebrate Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form from Kerala, India. More than 900 dancers showed up, though technical issues with QR code scanners meant some participants weren't initially counted in the official tally.

Parsippany showed up in force. About 175 students from Menon's school traveled to Pennsylvania to participate, representing nearly a quarter of the verified dancers.

The achievement adds another milestone to Menon's remarkable 62 years of dancing and 51 years of teaching. Her Kalashri School of Arts, located on Route 46, will celebrate its 35th anniversary this September.

The Ripple Effect

Menon's students have competed on world stages, winning first place in Barcelona in 2013 and taking multiple awards at the 2023 Dance Grand Prix Italia. Some even performed at the 2009 Academy Awards during the "Slumdog Millionaire" celebration.

But Menon sees her work as more than trophies and records. For many of her students growing up in America, classical Indian dance opens a window into their heritage beyond Bollywood and popular music.

"It opens up something for them about their own culture and where they come from, their roots," she said. The discipline students learn stays with them long after they leave her classroom, following them to college and beyond.

The record attempt required months of coordinated practice across a vast geographic area. Menon credits the success to careful preparation: "I always say the process has to be good for a good result."

She's already planning the next chapter. On October 25, Kalashri will present a show featuring over 100 dancers in Parsippany, centered on Mahakali and women's power, including the piece that made history at the convention.