Edappal: A graceful Mohiniyattam performance by Kollam native Archa Nishanth, who is eight months into her pregnancy, was a spectacle that aroused a mixed feeling of awe and fear in the minds of the audience at Vallathol Vidyapeedam dance school the other day.ย 

Archa Nishanth, a Mohiniyattam diploma student at the Nritya Kalakshetra, under the Vallathol Vidyapeedam Trust, performed the dance as part of her examination. She is a student at the Kochi sub centre of the Vidyapeedam and travels from Kollam to Kochi weekly to attend classes for the past year.ย 

Archa also runs a dance academy, โ€˜Nadanamโ€™ at Kalluvathukkal in Kollam. Even during pregnancy, she continued to practice Mohiniyattam and never missed her classes. She is also the mother of two kids. ย 

It may be noted that dancing during pregnancy can be safe for many women, but it depends on individual circumstances. A pregnant person should consult with her healthcare provider to ensure it's safe for both mother and baby.ย