Amaldev strikes Shahrukh Khan’s signature pose while talking about his favourite dancer; Ashique S.P. feels Prabhu Deva and Hrithik Roshan, his favourites, are better dancers than Salman Khan... The boys’ animated conversation about their favourite dancers is giving a tough time to their teacher Chithra Prasad, who is interpreting the flurry of signs. The students of National Institute for Speech and Hearing (NISH), Akkulam, are walking on air after their troupe won the first prize in Champions, a reality show for people with disabilities, which was aired on Surya TV. The 13 dancers took the stage by storm and wowed the audience and judges with their acrobatic moves and their confidence.
Ashique S.P., the team leader, is the moving force of the troupe comprising students pursuing their second and third year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at the institute. Ashique, a second year student, is a professional dancer as well. “The troupe was formed in 2010. Ashique has played a big role in forming the team. He is grace personified as a dancer and is absolutely passionate about dance,” says Chithra.
Sporting a funky hairstyle and a stubble, Ashique says with a grin that he learnt to dance by watching television and on YouTube. “I’ve been learning dance professionally for the last three years from Siyad, a city-based choreographer. After joining the institute I wanted to teach dance to my friends. Siyad trained us for the reality show,” he says.
The participants of the contest had different kinds and levels of disabilities. But, as Amaldev points out, they were all equals on stage. “We put in many hours of practice. It was really hard to get the timing right, what with all the throws and jumps,” he adds. Post the victory, the team has been getting invitations to perform in other parts of the state. If things fall into place, five students of the team might get a chance to perform abroad.
For the time being, the team is preparing an item for the Kerala University Youth Festival’s group dance competition in March. In last year’s competition, they had performed a bhangra. Their plans don’t stop there. “I love B-Boying and am learning it. Now I want to teach it to others,” says Ashique. As for Anilkumar, another member of the team: “I want to make a movie for people like me.”
Team NISH
Ashique S.P., Jafer A., Balu B.S., Harilal S., Rahul V., Bobin B., Appu K.V., Renju Xavier, Ajo P.A., Mathew Philip, Anilkumar V., Amaldev P.R. and Sumesh S.
Teacher's Pride
The team’s win on Champions was indeed a special moment for Siyad. “Ashique is a relative of mine. I’ve been teaching him dance for a while and it is through him that I got to train the boys. Training them was a first-of-its kind experience for me. It has not been easy. But whenever I see them perform, I feel so happy,” says Siyad, who runs 'Nakshathra Dance Company at East Fort.
He taught them hip-hop for most of the rounds, since “they are quite comfortable in that style,” says Siyad. The choreographer always stays with the team when they perform. He gives them their cues in sign language. “They have to be thorough about their position because the dance involves a lot of acrobatic moves and if the timing goes wrong, it will fall flat,” he says.
