File picture of dance troupe Ability Unlimited

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 10: They spin to modern music with equal ease and perfection as they perform a classical recital. They have churned out performances at major dance festivals of the world that includes presenting a spellbinding performance at the House of Commons in London and at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

But what is it that sets them apart from any other dance troupe is that they are comprised of confident youngsters who are bound to wheelchairs and crutches. Though, differently-abled they have achieved near stardom with their synchronised and scintillating performances.

These young dancers from the Delhi-based group Ability Unlimited Foundation have turned their disabilities into their greatest abilities.

Under the guidance of choreographer Guru Syed Salauddin Pasha, their dance recitals are a treat to the eyes. Around 21 young artistes from the group are set to enthral the audience at the 13th Anjali National Children’s Festival on November 11 at the Adivasi Ground in Bhubaneswar.

Wheelchairs transform into chariots and horses, the crutches into bows and arrows, as the differently-abled dancers bring a lot of life by showcasing the Bhagawad Gita on stage. The dancers with indomitable spirit also perform Bharatanatyam on wheels. They are also adept at Sufi dance and it is a perfect act of mysticism coupled with divinity.

Accompanied by a few beautiful speech-and-hearing impaired girls and a few visually impaired young dancers, their performances have won hearts of thousands across the globe. Through the specially designed therapeutic education methodology, it took Pasha over 20 years to create the performances. “I have spent hours on wheelchairs to get firsthand experience of their feelings. I kept my legs tied to generate proper steps. I have also consulted doctors to understand their difficulties,” said the master trainer.

One of his students, Gulshan Kumar, 22, has found place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most manual wheelchair spins in one minute. Kumar spun his wheelchair a record 63 times. Pasha has also made it to the Limca Book of Records for innovating Bharatnatyam on wheels.

Through his efforts, Pasha wants to ensure a dignified life for the youngsters. “I want to tell the world that despite their disabilities, they are equally capable of doing things and excelling in it as well. They need to be given opportunities to be on the same platform as is given to other people,” said Pasha.