Bharatnatyam on wheel chairs

BANGALORE: For the first time in Karnataka, a group of differently-abled people will perform a dance act on wheelchairs. “Differently-abled people should be given an opportunity to perform and show their skills and not be shunned away,” said Guru Syed Sallauddin Pasha, Director of Ability Unlimited Foundation, at a press conference announcing the special performance, Bharatnatyam on Wheel Chairs, that will be held at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall on May 28 at 6.30pm.

The group comprises 17 artistes from Delhi. The performance is dance therapy based, and will showcase Bharatnatyam, Sufi dance, Ramayana on wheelchairs.

“As for the wheelchairs they are light and custom made for the dancers.

Wheelchairs move at a speed on 150-200 km per hour, faster than an accomplished ballet dancer’s spins,” Pasha asserted.

Pasha has been working with the differently-abled people for more than twenty-five years now. And a series of incidents lead him to work with these people, the dance maestro reminisced.

He narrated how he had seen people been locked up in rooms away from people because they are differentlyabled.

The inhumane attitude of people towards the differently-abled saddened him and he made up his mind that he would work with these people, empower them by offering them a chance to hone their talent in the field of dance.

While teaching the differently-abled, he put himself in their shoes. “I sit on a wheelchair for eight to ten hours at a stretch and teach them the dance steps.

Unless you become one with them, it is impossible for one to train them,” Pasha noted.

As for the hearing impaired, he uses touch therapy and visual cues.

Such performances give dignity, equality, integrity and empowerment to the differently-abled, and it is this that has created a new segment of employment for these people, they are choreographers, documentary film makers, technicians and more.

Ability Unlimited Foundation is a self supporting group that has performed across the globe and won many accolades and awards.

The foundation is presenting the dance show in association with National Institute of Personal Management (NIIPM)- Bangalore.

For tickets contact 9945510746, 9008600091 or 9844121426.

tasneem@expressbuzz.com