The day Hema Ramamurthy saw Natyanjali, a professional dance group from India featuring visually handicapped dancers, perform on public television, she knew this was something she wanted to help bring to West Windsor-Plainsboro. “We see great things for the community,” she says. “Most people get bogged down by small problems in their daily lives, but these dancers get beyond their problems.”
Founded in 1986 by Ashok Kumar, Natyanjali consists of seven dancers, four of whom are visually impaired. This internationally famous troupe performs “Dancing in the Dark,” featuring classical Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, folk dances, and ballet, at Community Middle School, 55 Grovers Mill Road, on Saturday, December 18, at 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
“The dancers are very beautiful to watch,” says Ramamurthy, a West Windsor resident who volunteers for the Indian American Civic Forum (IACF), a non-profit organization that helped bring Natyanjali to this area. “There is a portion of the show where dancers are put one against the other and the audience is challenged to tell who is visually impaired and who is not.”
While most dancers learn by watching their teacher and then copying the movements they see, the visually impaired dancers of Natyanjali learn by Kumar’s patented touch and feel method. As the teacher demonstrates the movements, the students touch his feet and hands as he gestures in order to learn the intricate movements. Using this technique the students pick up the nuances of dance. But it is an arduous process. “What may take ten minutes to learn for other dancers may take these dancers three to four hours,” says Ramamurthy.
Ramurthy says that the two hour show, which is geared toward family members of all ages, is the sort of entertainment that audiences will find both enjoyable and emotionally moving. “The show will give everyone who attends a real pick-me-up. These dancers have been confronted with a major difficulties in their lives and have been able go on and do something that most people can’t do. That is really inspiring.”
Natyanjali’s “Dancing in the Dark,” Saturday, December 18, 4 p.m., Community Middle School, 55 Grovers Mill Road. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 609-275-0243 or visit www.ranidevi.com/lightsoff.htm.
