{
  "id": 5041237,
  "title": "IIT Bombay's Chemistry HOD Dances To 'Nainowale Ne' At College Event; Viral Video Earns Praises - WATCH",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/iit-bombays-chemistry-hod-dances-to-nainowale-ne-at-college-event",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T07:20:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/iit-bombays-chemistry-hod-dances-to-nainowale-ne-at-college-event-viral-video-earns-praises-watch"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A video of Professor Ruchi Anand, the Head of the Department of Chemistry at India's prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), has gone viral on social media after she was seen dancing to the song from the 2018 Bollywood film Padmaavat at a department event. The clip, shared on Instagram, showcases Anand, known for her scientific pursuits, participating in a cultural performance at the Chemistry Department's in-house symposium.\n\nDressed in traditional attire, Anand performed to 'Nainowale Ne', a melodious track from Padmaavat, sung by Neeti Mohan. Her graceful performance, characterized by expressive hand movements and subtle gestures, gained widespread attention, not just for its artistic appeal but also for her identity as a senior academic and scientist.\n\nAnand, who completed her M.Sc. at IIT Kanpur and her PhD from Cornell University, has held positions at prestigious institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She joined IIT Bombay as an Assistant Professor in 2008 and rose through the ranks, becoming an Associate Professor in 2014 and a Professor in 2018.\n\nThe chemistry department at IIT Bombay encourages a balance between professional responsibilities and activities outside work. Anand herself emphasizes this in a message on the department website, noting that faculty members engage in cultural activities, sports, and picnics alongside their academic duties.\n\nViewers have praised Anand for her ability to blend her professional life with her artistic passion, with many highlighting the importance of embracing hobbies and interests beyond one's job title. Her performance has inspired others to appreciate the multifaceted nature of professionals, reminding the internet community that a career in science and a love for the arts can indeed coexist harmoniously.",
  "summary": "A candid moment from the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has drawn widespread attention online after Professor Ruchi Anand, Head of the institute’s Department of Chemistry, was seen showcasing her dancing skills at a department event. The video, shared on Instagram, captures Anand participating in a cultural performance during an in-house symposium organised by…",
  "key_points": [
    "Professor Ruchi Anand, IIT Bombay's Chemistry HOD, dances to Padmaavat song at department event.",
    "Viral Instagram video shows Anand in traditional attire, performing Nainowale Ne.",
    "Anand's performance praised for blending academic and artistic passions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}