Parting `dis` from ability

In his rehearsal hall, Syed Sallauddin Pasha, known as Guruji by his disciples, is often seen encircled by several special kids following the dance mudras patiently taught by him.

His devotion in bringing the best out of special children with disabilities like autistic, cerebral palsy, mental and visual disorders fetches him applause from all.
A Bharatnatyam and Kathak dancer, Syed Pasha believes that if paid a little attention, disabled children have more ability than the normal ones.  

Refining special talent
Pasha learnt dance at the age of six and at the age of 19, he realised that his learning can brighten confidence among many such kids who are most of the times left on the mercy of the society. "Once I went to attend a wedding and saw a little child suffering from cerebral palsy chained at one corner to prevent him from spoiling the wedding feast. I could feel his pain and at that time, I decided to do something constructive for children suffering from such problems," said Syed Pasha.
Syed comes from a family of doctors and he has found that dance can heal problems of such kids to a great extent. Gradually, he began teaching dance to such kids. "In 1999, I did a Ramayana on Wheels workshop with the mentally-and-physically challenged children which had an overwhelming impact on their lives," he recalled.  

A difficult task
Unlike a normal kid, a lot of patience is required to train a special kid. Pasha while training these kids understands the psyche of each kid first and then motivates them to learn what he teaches. "Many a time, while conducting workshops for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I get injured. They bite, hit and sometimes become extra violent with me. However, instead of taking a back seat, I affectionately calm them down and it works," said Pasha.  

Family support
Syed Pasha calls himself lucky to have a wife like Rani Khanam, who herself is a celebrated Kathak maestro and an eight-year-old daughter like Sara Syed, who supports him in carrying out this noble effort. "My daughter attends my workshops and loves to interact with such kids. She has made many friends here," he revealed.  

Other tasks
Pasha also gives free of cost training to underprivileged kids who cannot afford basic education leaving alone learning dance. Moreover, he is working day and night to make his dream project ready which is to construct an Ashram (hostel) for mentally challenged kids where these kids can be taught various dance forms.

A healer
Syed comes from a family of doctors and he has found that dance can heal problems of such kids to a great extent. Gradually, he began teaching dance to such kids. "In 1999, I did a Ramayana on Wheels workshop with the mentally-and-physically challenged children which had an overwhelming impact on their lives," he recalled.  Pasha also gives free of cost training to underprivileged kids who cannot afford basic education leaving alone learning dance.

--Tarun Khanna