Some dreams may be put on hold, but they never truly disappear. For Professor Datuk Dr Alice Prethima, Bharatanatyam was one of her dreams, and she patiently waited for the right moment to bloom again as a classical dancer. On June 14, 2026, she returned to the art that first inspired her and also fulfilled her lifelong ambition by completing her Bharatanatyam Arangetram after twenty years. The event was graced by the presence of Padmashree Datuk Ramli Ibrahim Nattuva Thilagam Guru Shrimathi Indira Manikam and Bharatha Kalashihamani & Aadal Arasu Guru Sri Dr Chandramohan Ramasamy.
Twenty-Year Journey of Balancing Medicine and Family
Her journey in Indian classical dance began many years ago, when she learnt under the guidance of Natya Sironmani Guru Shrimathi Shamala Segar. After two years of dedicated training, Dr Alice completed her Salangai Poojai. However, as life presented her with new responsibilities, she made the difficult decision to step away from classical dance for nearly two decades.
Over the past two decades, Professor Datuk Dr Alice has become widely recognised as one of Malaysia’s pioneers in aesthetic medicine. Throughout her career, she has made significant contributions to obstetrics and gynaecology. Additionally, she has served as an educator, entrepreneur, and healthcare leader. Dr Alice is the founder and medical director of the Dr Alice Ageless Holistic Wellness and Aesthetic Centre.
Today, she continues to expand her vision by championing wellness, regenerative medicine and women’s health through her healthcare centre. Despite the demands of her profession, teaching commitments and family life, her appreciation for the arts never faded. Dance remained close to her heart, quietly waiting for the opportunity to return.
A Lifelong Love for the Performing Arts
Before becoming a respected medical professional, Professor Datuk Dr Alice had made her mark in dance and music, showcasing her deep passion for the arts. Her artistic journey is not only on Bharatanatyam, but she also trained in contemporary dance, ballet, salsa, Kathak and other classical Indian dance forms.
Her passion has also led her to pursue a degree in Indian Classical Music, reflecting her commitment to preserving artistic traditions. This strong foundation allowed her to reconnect with Bharatanatyam years later with renewed purpose and maturity.
Returning to Her Guru, Returning to Herself
When Professor Datuk Dr Alice decided to pursue her unfinished dream, she returned to train once again under the guidance of her guru, Natya Sironmani Guru Shrimathi Shamala Segar, with whom she had first begun her Bharatanatyam journey.
Her Arangetram was not merely a dance debut; it became a deeply personal celebration of perseverance, discipline and self-discovery. Every performance reflected years of dedication, resilience and the belief that it is never too late to complete what one once started.
Her Arangetram highlights the strength of determination and the idea that pursuing one’s dreams can occur at any age. In honour of this extraordinary achievement, she received the designation of “Natya Sadhana” from Natya Sironmani Guru Shrimathi Shamala Segar and she also earned the Malaysian Book of Records title for being the oldest person to successfully perform a Bharatanatyam Arangetram.
For many, an Arangetram is the beginning of a dancer’s artistic journey. For Professor Datuk Dr Alice, it represented both a new beginning and the fulfilment of a promise she had made to herself decades earlier.
Professor Datuk Dr Alice’s remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to professionals, parents and lifelong learners everywhere. Her story reminds us that success in one field does not require sacrificing our deepest passions. With determination, discipline and the courage to begin again, it is possible to pursue personal dreams regardless of age or life’s many responsibilities.
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