The internet knows her as the ‘dancing mom.' Ludhiana native Sangeetha Gautham Sharma, 36, became an instant internet sensation after a video in which she, heavily pregnant and dressed in hospital robes, was seen dancing happily along with her gynaecologist, became viral. She says that she wanted to do what she loved the most just before she gave birth to her child. After watching Sangeetha’s video, lots of expectant mothers had called her to say that the video had inspired them to walk confidently into the labour rooms.
Not the first time
Sangeetha had danced her way into the labour room, five years ago, when she gave birth to her first kid. Then it was her husband Goutham who gave her company to shake a leg. “Smartphones and social media were not so popular then, so that moment was our own personal happiness. But I realize that this video had given joy for many, especially pregnant women and gynaecologists. This time it became everybody’s celebration,” smiles Sangeetha.
Passion for dance
“Dance is the greatest joy in my life. It is dance which gave me everything- career as a teacher, Gautham my lover and husband. It is impossible for me to exist without dance in my life. When the caesarian was scheduled, all I had in mind was dance. I wouldn’t be able to dance for at least three months post delivery. So it was that sadness which inspired me to dance before I entered the operation theater,” says Sangeetha. The mother of two says that the expectant mothers can continue any physical activity that they have been doing previously. However, Sangeetha advices to take extra care and seek doctoral advice before doing any physical activity during pregnancy.
Inspiration for others
Sangeetha says she made sure that all her dance routines were video recorded this time as she regretted not recording any of it during her first pregnancy. The graceful danseuse even conducted dance sessions for expectant mothers and their partners when she was in her second trimester. In her sixth month of pregnancy, Sangeetha performed on stage along with her husband Gautham. She says, “Right now I am resting after the delivery. I will return to the stage by July. I have even planned to organize training sessions for pregnant women which would make them physically and mentally healthy.”
The doctor who loves to dance
“When I told the doctor, during my first pregnancy, that I wished to dance, I was discouraged. So this time we changed the doctor. Dr. Vani Thapar who danced with me at the labor room is Gautham’s disciple. She was more like a friend than a strict doctor. Just five minutes after we finished our dance, I was given anesthesia for the surgery. There was just half an hour between our dance and my daughter,” Sangeetha says.
Sangeetha insists that a doctor should be someone whose priority is to make his/her patient comfortable and happy. She says, “It is up to a good doctor to give the patients the necessary support and energy to overcome the difficulties of the gestation period. In that sense Vani is an incredible doctor.”
The family that dance together
Sangeetha’s father Baldiv Raj used to play music out loud in their home, and little Sangeetha danced to the beat of it. Besides obtaining postgraduate degrees in both English and Kathak, Sangeetha has completed courses in many dance forms from the Pracheen Kala Kendra in Chandigarh. Though she began her career as an English teacher at a college, she quit to take up the position of a dance teacher at a school. “I am extremely fortunate to have Gautham, who is equally passionate about dance, in my life. Gautham is the official promoter of Zumba in Punjab. My elder son Oneesh has already begun to dance and my younger daughter Dhoon smiles when she hears music,” Sangeetha beams with happiness.
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