CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Monday afternoon (April 28), the stage at Mumbai’s Veda Kunba Auditorium transformed into a living tapestry of courage, rhythm, and resilience, as Indrani Mukerjea Enterprise (IME) hosted “Dance Is for Everybody,” an inclusive performance specially curated to honour International Dance Day.
With Sandip Soparrkar serving as sutradhar for the evening, and emcee Ratan Pratap introducing each act with warmth and grace, the event transcended traditional performance formats to place disabled artists at the very heart of India’s dance narrative.The showcase brought together dancers representing India’s full 17 recognised disability categories—including blindness, low vision, leprosy-cured status, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, dwarfism, intellectual disability, mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, specific learning disabilities, speech and language disabilities, multiple disabilities, acid attack survivors, and Parkinson’s disease. Each performer brought a unique story to the stage, demonstrating that dance is not about symmetry or speed—but about presence, spirit, and truth.
Indrani Mukerjea, Founder of IME, addressed the audience, sharing, “True resilience is not about returning to where you were, but about moving forward differently—with wisdom, grace, and courage. Tonight’s performers didn’t just dance; they dismantled old ideas about who the stage belongs to.” Sandip Soparrkar added, “Every movement tonight was a declaration. Dance doesn’t ask for perfection; it asks for heart—and every artist here answered that call.”
Following tradition, the evening began with a Saraswati Vandana—an invocation to the goddess of wisdom, learning, and the arts—setting a tone of reverence and inspiration before Soparrkar guided the audience through the tapestry of performances.
Among the dignitaries present were Mr. Haresh Mehta, President of the India Fine Arts Council, and Mr. Sampat Singh, Director of Veda Kunba, whose support underscored the event’s commitment to celebrating artistic integrity and social impact.
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