People of Value

New Delhi: Manoj and the others of Ability Unlimited

For most of the 18 years of his life, Manoj shied away from family functions and other social gatherings with all sorts of excuses, owing to a leg that was shorter than the other. Today, the same Manoj has turned his disability into his strength, and is inspiration for many. As part of a theatre group for disabled students called Ability Unlimited (AU), Manoj plays multiple characters like Ravana, Arjuna, Mahisha and performs martial arts on wheels.

“I used to feel shy during interactions with others, and hence, did not make many friends. Maybe people thought I would burden them. But now the same peers have shown an interest in learning martial arts from me,” says the young artist, adding,” I live my life with dignity.”

Manoj is not the only one who dared to fight against the odds.

Gulshan Kumar was 12 years old when he joined the group. “Polio,” he says, explaining why he has refrained form play activities, and recalling how people stared at him at parties or even at the bus stand. “Fortunately, Guru Syed Sallauddin Pasha of AU picked me for a role in his group, and my first public performance gave me joy and confidence,” says Kumar, adding, “Theatre has given my life a meaning. I no longer feel dependent on others for moving around or doing chores.”

Disability has ceased to be a hindrance for these performers, who use the movements of hands and other parts of the body, though most of them are dyslexic, those with a problem in retaining lines are given minor roles. “We use costumes and actions to bring the character alive on stage, without the audience feeling that they are watching an act by a disabled,” says Som Gupta, a group member, adding, “Wheelchair movements in tandem with background music give the performance an aesthetic sense.”

The mode of work at AU is very professional, and artistes get a monthly stipend of Rs 500, depending upon the performances. “We do not accept donations; we are paid for our performances. With experience, most of us have acquired skills in make-up, set design, lights and other technical aspects. Each of these is an art in itself,” says Vijay, another polio-affected member of the group.

“Our performances of epics like Bhagwad Gita, Durga and Ramayana, on wheelchairs, have always mesmerized audiences,” says Hemlata Meena, a student of Bhagat Singh College, Delhi University, who has played Durga and Sita in such acts. “My friends thought I was useless because of polio. But my performance of Thang Ta, Manipur’s  dangerous martial arts, surprised them all. My wrist movements are better than those of the normal Thang Ta experts, and my first performance strengthened not only mine, but also my father’s confidence in my abilities,” She adds.

The group’s collective belief that disability does not hinder one’s pursuit of ambition, has been further strengthened by the admission of five-year-old Zuber, who plays the golden deer in Ramayana. “Zuber does not have hands or legs. Yet his confidence in performing the role is a powerful example of how to take disability with pride.”

Source: Able theatre, Times of India, New Delhi, 23 July 2007.