Dance is a symbol of empowerment for this Delhi-based differently-abled Bharatnatyam dance troupe

The Bharatanatyam dancers struck elegant poses, maneuvered traditional steps whereas slowly and steadily switching to a mudra. The circulate was frequent to the dance kind; besides that the dancers have been differently-abled. Six boys on wheelchairs and three women who have been hearing-impaired left the viewers spellbound with a 30-minute present that was a tribute to frontline COVID staff in Visakhapatnam. The efficiency was by Delhi-based group ‘We Are One’ (WAO) and part of the recently-concluded Vysakhi Nrithyotsav, the thirteenth All India Dance Competition organised by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy. 

“For us, the wheelchair is a logo of empowerment. Individuals consider it as a mode of transport for the differently-abled. However we need to present the world that that is our power and showcase Indian dance types like Bharatanatyam with a message of inclusivity,” says Husnain, founding father of WAO and a differently-abled artiste.   

All by the efficiency, Husnain and his staff reminded the viewers that wheels can change legs and the one factor they resented was being pitied upon. Their strikes have been perfected by Husnain and the staff’s choreographer Gulshan Kumar. 

Delhi-based We Are One, a bunch of differently-abled dancers, performing Bharatnatyam on the recently-concluded Vysakhi Nrithyotsav organised by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy in Visakhapatnam.
| Picture Credit score: Ok Bhaskar Rao

A differently-abled dancer, Husnain confronted a number of challenges to battle stereotypes for selecting dance as a occupation and utilizing a wheelchair. Working as a contract dancer for a few years, Husnain used to carry out in features in academic establishments. “However we by no means received the respect and recognition that we deserve,” he says. In 2013, he began a dance college referred to as Life’s Success. However two years later, as a result of a disaster in his private life, he needed to shut it.

As an alternative of getting slowed down by the challenges, Husnain channelised his ardour to create an inclusive atmosphere with WAO in 2016 for different differently-abled individuals. “There are abundantly gifted individuals in India whose potential is undiscovered; just because they don’t conform to the normal expectation of what an artiste ought to seem like as a result of their incapacity,” says Husnain. The group immediately has members from six years to 65 years of age, all differently-abled, who’re being educated in dance and different facets of dance manufacturing.

Based with a staff of six differently-abled individuals; immediately the troupe has grown considerably and now has near 95 performers. The group’s choreographer Gulshan additionally made it to the Guinness Ebook of World Data for performing essentially the most variety of guide stunts in a minute on a wheelchair. Specialising in Bharatanatyam, the WAO troupe is now present process coaching within the Lucknow gharana of Kathak. 

Delhi-based We Are One, a bunch of differently-abled dancers, performing Bharatnatyam on the recently-concluded Vysakhi Nrithyotsav organised by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy in Visakhapatnam.
| Picture Credit score: Ok Bhaskar Rao

“Acting on a wheelchair for the previous 15 years has made me realise that the view of the world is gorgeous even from a wheelchair. Dance is a liberating expression for me and my wheelchair has grow to be my asset. My motto is to work in direction of offering dignity, inclusion and equality for differently-abled dancers,” says Husnain.

“Any society will progress solely when individuals with and with out disabilities be part of palms collectively. For that we be sure that in each efficiency of ours, there may be one dancer with out incapacity. That’s our approach of passing the message of inclusivity,” he provides.