Click to play videoNew Delhi: A group of artists have not let their disability come in the way of realising their dreams.
“Just like Lord Krishna, my guruji has been an inspiration for me. I feel like Arjun,” says Manoj Baraik, Member, Ability Unlimited
Manoj Baraik is a warrior in his own right. Like seven crore people in India, Manoj was born with a disability, with a wheel chair binding his life but not his spirit. This 19-year-old found his true calling with Abilities Unlimited, India's first dance-theatre troupe for the disabled, a place where they literally learn to stand on their own feet.
“When we are on stage, the reaction from the audience shows that they love our performance,” says Manoj Baraik, Member, Ability Unlimited.
Abilities Unlimited is the brainchild of dancer-choreographer Guru Syed Salauddin Pasha. Artists in his group suffer from varying conditions such as polio, dyslexia, cerebral palsy and even autism. Pasha says his decision to heal the disabled through therapeutic theatre came 15 years ago. Since then, Ability Unlimited has staged over 100 productions across the world.
"These dance performances give a great message to the society. When people see them perform such magnificent acts, they forget that they are disabled,” says Syed Sallaudin Pasha, Founder, Ability Unlimited.
For each of the 150 artists on board, Abilities Unlimited has been about fighting back and about overcoming personal inhibitions and societal bias.
These extraordinarily talented people feel more confident and in consequence become more outgoing. “I had no belief in myself earlier,” says a member of the Abilities Unlimited.
As for their Guruji, he can only be too proud of them.
“I feel that I don't have to worry about anything. Even if I die, I will be peaceful,” says Syed Sallaudin Pasha.
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