Syed Salauddin Pasha is in Ahmedabad with his differently-abled students for a performance.
They might not be physically fit, but that doesn't deter them from performing dance sequences and theatre as effectively as others. We are talking of physically challenged child artistes who came to the city to perform at Jayshankar Sundari Hall on Thursday.
Syed Salauddin Pasha, who is known as the 'Father of Indian Therapeutic Theatre' organised the event. Pasha spoke to DNA on the occasion of the theatre festival. "It is thrilling to watch my students, who are no less than any performer. Spinning in the wheelchair, they use their strength to execute the act smoothly," he said.
Pasha added that they were a part of the talent show that was aired on television. These child artistes will also appear in a television show which is to be hosted by actor Preity Zinta. They have also been invited to perform at several venues across the world including the UK parliament. The group has just returned from Italy.
One of his students beat the Guinness World Record of a person in England. Pasha's student created a record by completing 60 spins in a wheelchair and broke the previous record of 30 spins.
"This is the first time we are performing in Gujarat and there are 29 students who will perform for Amdavadi theatre lovers. The festival will bring to you Bharatanatyam, Ramayana episodes, Sufi dance as well as Durga's story. We will perform for two days," he said.
Pasha, who is based in New Delhi, dons many hats as a classical dancer, theatre director, actor and choreographer. He is also a recipient of National Award from the President of India for his outstanding contribution in the field of empowerment of people with disabilities.
He has his name listed in the Limca Book of World Records for creating 100 dance-theatre productions and 10,000 performances by people with disabilities across the globe.
The talented artiste has been a researcher at Cornell University apart from being a special pedagogic dance theatre director at many special schools in Finland.
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