Classical dancer dies during stage performance

Kochi (Kerala): A 48-year-old professional classical dancer collapsed and died while performing Bharathanatyam with his guru during a temple festival in Paravur near here. The audience enjoying the Bharathanatyam thought falling down of dancer Omanakuttan on the stage was part of the performance. However, his Guru Sivan Malyankara who noticed Omanakkuttan suddenly losing his footing and falling down stopped the performance. Omanakuttan was rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead. Omanakuttan had been an active classical dancer for over 25 years and had staged dance performances at 400 stages in Bihar as part of the national literacy mission.