22-year-old
Tanmay Aggarwal is just like any other boy his age. He is affable,
jovial and willing to learn. In fact, he serves as an inspiration to
many of his peers as his mental disability does not come in the way of
living his dream of being a dancer.
Tanmay
is on cloud nine these days after having performed in the recently
concluded Sambhav 2014, the annual dance event organised by Delhi-based
NGO Association for Learning Performing Arts and Normative Action
(ALPANA). The eighth edition of the cultural event showcased artistic
talent of physically and mentally challenged artistes from 16 countries.
The NGO runs a small school having 140 students from different streams
to contribute for the inclusive growth of physically and mentally
challenged students in the society where Tanmay also studies.
************************************************** “I like to dance and perform for people - Tanmay Aggarwal.
**************************************************
“Tanmay
joined ALPANA when he was just 11 years of age. He was one of the first
students to have been inducted in the organisation,” shares Anshu
Aggarwal, his sister-in-law.
“He
started dancing since he was very young. He was one of the first
students, a source of inspiration for ALPANA,” shared one of the
teachers present at the event. The event was organised between November
14-16. Specially gifted artists from various nations such as Bangladesh,
Israel, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and South Africa came
and showcased their talent.
The mentor for the children at ALPANA – Alpana Nayak is a renowned Odissi dancer herself. Nothing delights her more than watching her specially-abled students perform. “When we began teaching in the early 2000s, most students who came to me were special children. Their bodies were rigid, but looking at them dance now I feel that they express themselves through this art form,” she shares. At ALPANA, they also teach the students to become self-independent by making them learn candle making, paper crafts and cooking basic Indian cuisine.
Tanmay has gained a lot of confidence after he started dancing, according to his family. He deals with every challenged in life, however big and small, with a zealous attitude. “I like to dance and perform for people. I love going to school. I can also cook a few Indian dishes and make tea. I learnt how not to be scared and just do good things in life,” he confesses.
Source : I am in dna of South delhi , 18th Nov 2014
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