Dance is an emblem of empowerment for this Delhi-based differently-abled Bharatnatyam dance troupe

The Bharatanatyam dancers struck elegant poses, maneuvered basic steps whereas slowly and steadily switching to a mudra. The movement was frequent to the dance type; besides that the dancers had been differently-abled. Six boys on wheelchairs and three ladies who had been hearing-impaired left the viewers spellbound with a 30-minute present that was a tribute to frontline COVID employees 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 Pageant organised by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy. 

“For us, the wheelchair is an emblem of empowerment. Folks consider it as a mode of transport for the differently-abled. However we wish to present the world that that is our energy and showcase Indian dance varieties 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 group reminded the viewers that wheels can change legs and the one factor they resented was being pitied upon. Their strikes had been perfected by Husnain and the group’s choreographer Gulshan Kumar. 

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

A differently-abled dancer, Husnain confronted a number of challenges to battle stereotypes for selecting dance as a career 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 bought the respect and recognition that we deserve,” he says. In 2013, he began a dance college known as Life’s Success. However two years later, on account of a disaster in his private life, he needed to shut it.

As a substitute of getting slowed down by the challenges, Husnain channelised his ardour to create an inclusive setting with WAO in 2016 for different differently-abled individuals. “There are abundantly proficient folks in India whose potential is undiscovered; just because they don’t conform to the standard expectation of what an artiste ought to appear like on account of their incapacity,” says Husnain. The group at the moment has members from six years to 65 years of age, all differently-abled, who’re being skilled in dance and different elements of dance manufacturing.

Based with a group of six differently-abled individuals; at the moment the troupe has grown considerably and now has near 95 performers. The group’s choreographer Gulshan additionally made it to the Guinness E-book 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 gaggle of differently-abled dancers, performing Bharatnatyam on the recently-concluded Vysakhi Nrithyotsav organised by Nataraj Music and Dance Academy in Visakhapatnam.
| Photograph 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 change into my asset. My motto is to work in the direction of offering dignity, inclusion and equality for differently-abled dancers,” says Husnain.

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