Physical challenge is no hurdle for this inspiring Bharatnatyam dancer who dances in perfect rhythm though she cannot hear any sound…
The entry of dance into her life changed her life over a new leaf. “She used to watch dance on television and copy the steps. So we thought we’ll send her to learn dance, as she will also go out and interact, he added. Initially she had difficulty in understanding but later she did steps which even normal children were not able to do.
A small step in the right direction and she ended up doing Bharatnatyam for 16 years with her teacher Sumita Mahajan. “Sumita has really worked hard on her and made her what she is today,” Keshav said.
Along with the dance Prerana has achieved remarkably in academics as well. She has passed her 10th from a school for normal children with 63 per cent from the state board. “At the school for normal children there is a unit of such special children. Special classes are taken for 1-2 hours daily while the rest of the time they study along with the normal children,” Keshav said. Prerana’s mother Ujjawala specially did a four month course to learn how to teach such special children. “We have not learnt any sign language for her. As it is Prerana lip reads, so we do not need to talk through sign language,” he added.
Prerana has also been interested in computers all along. She has done lot of computer courses and is very net savvy. She has her own website and maintains an email id as well. “She checks her mail regularly, and if she doesn’t understand anything she’ll show me and I explain it to her,” Her father said.
“We pick up the language from whatever we listen and hear around us through television, people, etc. But such special children have difficulty in developing the understanding of the language because they can’t pick up the language from their surroundings. So the understanding of the language is never 100% for them,” he explained.
In her future plans, she has filled the 12th exam form which she intends to clear and she wants to continue learning dance. Future plans also include marriage. “We are looking for a suitable match for her, who accepts her as she is and encourages and appreciates her skills,” father said.
When we asked Prerana directly about her future plans, she confirms that she wants to pursue dance and computers in future. She says something which her father translates for us, “Passing the 12th exam is my main focus now.”
And if we think such children are lacking in self respect or any other way, think again as Prerna makes us understand, “I am not lacking in anything. I am no less than them, I do Bharatnatyam, and many others can’t. Everyone around me gives me so much love and respect that I don’t feel any less than the rest,” she ends.
