Thiruvananthapuram: It was a sight to remember at the extreme poverty-free Kerala declaration event, where Haritha Karmasena member Leelamma, 63, turned into an instant crowd favourite, dancing energetically on stage alongside singer Harisankar during his fast-paced number.

Wearing a pair of cooling glasses, Leelamma matched the rhythm with effortless flair, stunning the audience with her stylish moves and infectious energy. As Harisankar performed, she couldn’t resist the beat, and soon, the crowd was cheering as she brought her trademark steps to the stage.

Leelamma, who works under the Thampanoor limits, was initially standing near the stage with her colleagues while listening to the music. When she began dancing spontaneously, Harisankar noticed her and invited her and her team on stage, even lending her his sunglasses. What followed was a lively performance that quickly went viral on social media.

Leelamma said she has loved dancing since childhood and often forgets her surroundings whenever she hears music. “I have never learned dance formally. When I hear a song, I just move to it without thinking. At that moment, I don’t notice anything around me,” she said with a smile.

A resident of Rajajinagar, behind the Secretariat, Leelamma has faced her share of hardships. Her husband, John, died of illness three years ago, and her eldest son, Francis, died in a car accident last year. Yet, she says she has learned to find joy and strength through life’s struggles.

“We cannot stop anything from happening; we just have to face it,” she said. “We should try to be happy and enjoy ourselves, even while working. That’s how I live.”

Leelamma continues to live in a small home with fragile wires and concrete slabs but refuses to complain. Her Haritha Karmasena colleagues remain her biggest supporters, cheering her on as she brings a little joy and a few dance moves to her workday.