Disability is no barrier to dance

A group of artists have not let their disability come in the way of realising their dreams. Don't miss the Enable India Show next Saturday that will feature Bharatnatyam, Sufi, martial art, sword fighting and yogau00a0-- all on wheels

Like 70 million people in India, Delhi-based Vijay Kumar was born with a disabilityu00a0-- binding his body on a wheelchair, but not his powerhouse spirit. The 19 year-old found his calling with Ability Unlimited Foundation, India's first dance-theatre troupe for the disabled. You've probably seen them on television -- the troupe has made appearances on talent shows Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and Dance India Dance.

Guru Syed Sallauddin Pasha, founder and choreographer of Ability
Unlimited Foundation, during a performance with a dance-theatre
troupe of differently-abled artists

"I attended a workshop that Guruji (Sallauddin Pasha, founder) conducted in Delhi for physically challenged kids. Until then, I never thought I could dance. But when I saw them do amazing turns and dances on wheels, I knew I could too."

Kumar put his heart and soul into the workshops and later joined the dance-theatre troupe. His decade-long association with the foundation gets stronger every year. "I learnt everything from dance and martial art to choreography, lighting and set direction. My dream is to become a professional artist after I graduate from college," says the junior college student in a telephonic interview from Delhi.

On January 15, he will perform Sufi, martial art, Bharatnatyam and sword fighting -- all on wheels -- along with several others from Ability Unlimited Foundation at the Enable India Show. "Organised in partnershipu00a0 with NGO Utthan Prayash Foundation, the charity show is an attempt to empower the differently-abled persons by showcasing their extraordinary talents in dance performances," says the NGO's founder Tulsi Das.

Says founder-choreographer Guru Syed Sallauddin Pasha, "This is our first time in Mumbai, and we hope to change the perceptions people have of PwDs (people with disabilities)." Artists in Guru Pasha's group have varying conditions such as visual or physical impairment, polio, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, even autism.

Guru Pasha says his decision to heal the disabled through what he calls "therapeutic theatre" came 30 years ago. Since then, the foundation has staged over 100 productions across the world.

A recipient of the National Award from the President of India for outstanding performances in the category of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Guru Pasha is a world record holder in the Limca Book of World Records for creating 100 dance theatre productions and 10,000 performances by persons with disabilities across the globe.

Passionate about changing the way the world looks at differently-abled people, the able-bodied Guru Pasha sometimes even goes through his day -- including this interview -- in a wheelchair "to know what it really feels like". He says, "When I see the wheelchair, I see the chariot of Krishna. Crutches look like the trishul of Shiva to me."

On: January 15, 4 pm onwards
At: Rangsharda, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W)
Entry: Free
Call: 26401919