Junior Akshaya Selvamani MC's for the event which she, along with the help of other junior Sindhu Keepudi, have organized as part of a fundraiser. Photo courtesy Akshaya Selvamani.

by Divya Kumar
News Editor

Classical Dance is a large part of everyday life in India. Several people with aspirations to live up to these dancing dreams are unable to, however, due to certain handicapped restrictions. Ability Unlimited aims towards raising money to teach these people how to dance, in order to gain a professional career in the art, despite their disability.

Though this organization exists mainly in India, two Coppell juniors have found a way to bring it to America, to help raise money and awareness of the issue locally.

Junior Akshaya Selvamani was in charge of organizing this event on the high school level. Selvamanni participates in all types of Indian classical dance, as well as being involved in competitive ballroom dancing. The idea for the program, however, came in response to her own injury.

“I tore my ACL [Anterior Cruciate Ligament] two years ago while dancing,” Selvamani said. “I had to get knee surgery, and ever since then, dancing has been much more of a challenge. It’s so devastating to have your dreams snatched away like that.”

This ability to relate to some of the disabled dancers pulls Selvamani much closer in towards the program.

“I was searching on Google and happened to stumble across this,” Selvamani said. “I realized that this program meant a lot to me, because these kids were so much more disabled than I was, yet they’re still willing to dance and go for their dreams.”

Selvamani then enlisted in the help of fellow IB (International Baccalaureate) junior, Sindhu Keepudi, who agreed to help out. Together, approached the Alora Performing Arts Center – an Indian dance group that does fundraisers similar t

o this one – and spoke to Vani Iswara, a dance teacher at the group. They requested help from the company in organizing the event and finding ways to reach other dance teachers around the area.

“She was really helpful,” Keepudi said. “Most teachers wouldn’t be responsive if two teenage girls asked them for help, but she was able to establish contacts for us, while keeping us in the loop with everything that was happening.”

The goal of the two girls was to have all the differe

nt types of classical dances in India performed during a show and raise money through the selling of tickets – which were $10 as a minimum donation, though more could be offered. All money through ticket commissions would be given to the organization.

“We figured a show would be the coolest way t

Several of the classical dances featured bright costumes and elaborate makeup. Photo courtesy Akshaya Selvamani.

o raise money,” Keepudi said. “We’re getting money by showing these people what they’d be sponsoring these kids in India to do.”

Together, the girls were able to book a venue at the Granville Arts Center on March 6, sell all the tickets and organize the event. However, for the actual day of the show, they enlisted in the help of IB students. In return, these IB students would receive CAS hours, which are certain types of service hours, such as helping out with the organization and running of the show, that are necessary for the students to have in order to graduate.

The performance featured several styles of classical dance found within India. These dances are often done to rhythmic beats of specific instruments such as the table, similar to the drum, and a sitar, similar to a guitar. Most dances require the wearing of ghungroos, which are bells attached to the ankles of dancers while they dance.

“It was really cool to watch,” IB junior Daniela Gaitan said. “I’ve never seen Indian dance, and I feel like I learned a lot watching it. Plus, the costumes and music and dances were all so beautiful. It was more fun than work.”

Selvamani and Keepudi raised $5,000 to donate to the program. Both express relief at the end of the show, but pride in its success.

“I loved the program – it was great,” Selvamani said. “I really want to make it an annual event and make sure these kids get to live their dreams.”