India celebrates disability through the arts

From The Times of India. Also, you can see a brief video of an Ability Unlimited India performance here. And Ability Unlimited India presents the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948 - 2008) & International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 1 - 31, 2008 in New Delhi.

BANGALORE, India -- The idea is to celebrate disability. The 9th Kala Nadam festival of dance and music, organized by the Narthan Academy of Dance and Music (NADAM), will showcase different art forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam, apart from martial arts, Sufiana dance and renditions from the Bhagvad Gita, all performed by those confined to wheelchairs or using crutches.

Ability Unlimited India (AUI), a group from New Delhi, (pictured performing) that has performed the world over, will present the best episodes from their award-winning dance theatre productions -- in a show called `Celebrating Disabilities' -- at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall on Nov. 24, at 7 p.m.

Dancer and choreographer Syed Salauddin Pasha, who has pioneered Indian Therapeutic Theatre, says the 120-minute programme will be a unique presentation from 15 AUI artistes. The wheelchair will be transformed into a chariot and crutches into bow and arrow. They will, in effect, be extensions of the body. The programme is conceived, directed and choreographed by Pasha.

Pasha says, "The programme gives youngsters with disability a space to showcase their skills. In the performance to be held in the city, AUI artists will perform on the same platform as the non-disabled.''

AUI is the country's first professional dance theatre for persons with disabilities. According to Pasha, the country is not disabled-friendly.

AUI utilizes art as a vehicle to broaden the perspective and resolve issues faced by people with disabilities. AUI artistes have performed at the House of Commons in London, Canada, USA and many parts of India.

Pasha says the performance conveys a message: the disabled don't want mercy, but opportunity. Over the past 25 years, Pasha has created more than 100 dance theatre productions, bringing hope, confidence and a new lease of life for persons with disabilities around the world.

The Kala Nadam festival was inaugurated on Sunday with Kathak and Bharatanatyam performances. This year, the festival is dedicated to the disabled. Proceeds will go to the Deepa Academy for the Differently Abled.