Mangalore: Fighting the Odds—Disability No Barrier for Classical Dancer Vandana
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)

Mangalore, Mar 6: The town hall was fully packed to witness a dance programme featuring Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam organized by Bharatha Nritya Sabha on Friday March 5.

The star attraction of the event was Vandana V R, whose dancing was so excellent that it was hard for the audience to believe that she was born handicapped with only her left leg.

Vandana hails from Trivandrum and performed various dances in the Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam genres to various ‘taalas’ of classical music.

She faced all odds to fulfill her dream of becoming a classical dancer. Radhika Sundareshan is her teacher, who had at first refused to teach her but later recognized her interest in dancing and took her under her wing.

Vandana performed Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam dances with excellence on par with the other dancers to all kinds of rhythms, be it fast or slow.

The performance at the Town Hall not only entertained the dance lovers, but also touched the hearts of the viewers. 

Chandrashekar Shetty, president, Bharatha Nritya Sabha, said this programme was inspiring to dancers and others also. The Sabha honoured Vandana during the programme in the presence of Mayor Rajani Dugganna and deputy mayor Rajendra. 

Vandana’s team also gave several performances in the different genres.