SHILLONG: A group of special children from Dwar Jingkyrmen learned a few Bollywood moves under the guidance of a Mumbai-based choreographer.
Pankaj Chetri, who is originally from Guwahati, was in the city recently at the invitation of Blossom Fun Club for Children.
Chetri also looked for hardworking and talented dancers in the region who will be able to compete in a competitive platform in metros like Mumbai.
Speaking on his experience in teaching the special kids for the first time, he told The Shillong Times, “This is the first time that I am teaching them. I realise that patience is necessary while teaching them. We cannot scold them but all we have to do is give them love.”
He felt that dance steps can be taught with patience so that these children can catch up.
“They have to enjoy the dance. They can be better performers and can make it big,” he added.
According to Chetri, special children need guidance. The choreographer further said, “For me it’s the first time and first experience to teach special children and doing so is like social work.”
The parents and guardians who waited outside for their wards said that taking their children to the dance class is a recreation activity for them especially to encourage them to interact with others.
“They have different caliber and proper guidance is needed. As parents we need to encourage and push them,” a parent said.
The parents told this reporter that some parents refuse to expose their special child/children to the society fearing stigma. “Parents refuse to come forward, there are some who do not know that special schools exist here which will be better than enrolling them in mainstream schools,” another parent said.
During the dance session, special children were diligently making effort to catch up with the dance steps of Chetri who checked on every child individually.
Blossom Fun Club for Children was founded in 2009 by Vasnani with a team of six members committed to help differently abled children.
