BHARATANATYAM ARTISTE ON WHEELCHAIR

Husnain is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer who resides in the National Capital and runs a dance academy called ‘We Are One.’ Established in 2016 with eight other dancers. The academy today has more than 90 students, ranging from 8 years old to 65 years old as the oldest student.

What distinguishes this academy from others is that they are all Persons with a Disability (PwD). While some, like Husnain, are wheelchairbound, others have speech and hearing impairments. However, all of them are woven together with their passion to learn and perform. “Even though I have been performing for several years now, the respect and recognition are nowhere close to what I deserve,” says the 30-year-old. “Six years ago, in 2016, when we launched We Are One, it was with the sole objective of achieving dignity, feeling empowered and included and being treated as equals than as PwDs,” he says. Promoting disability and inclusivity in the field of performing arts, especially dancing, was of prime importance to him. “When I was 12 years, I got the opportunity to perform in a group at Delhi’s Talkatora stadium. That, for me, was an awakening of sorts,” he says.

When asked why he chose dance as a medium of expression, he smiles and says, “I was born to dance and perform. Nothing gives me more happiness than being on stage.”

He keeps emphasising that what PWD members need is an opportunity and not pity. The members are not just restricted to Bharatanatyam but also experiment in Salsa, Manipuri martial arts dance form and even yoga on wheels. “We also hold the distinction of being India’s first wheelchair group to perform Salsa,” he adds with pride. He admits the journey so far has not been easy. As a Muslim, Husnain says that his family members could never comprehend why he would want to engage in performing arts. While today there is respect regarding the art, there were so many instances when he would be called langda, apaahij and other derogatory terms for PwD.

He confessed that he always remembered his father’s words to not let anyone else determine one’s self-worth and says that kept him going.