Hema has been learning the classical dance over the last twelve years. (Photo courtesy: Preston Merchant)
A Bharatanatyam performance by a Down Syndrome affected young woman would soon be a first of its kind in Chennai's concert season.
On Monday, Hema, a 23-year-old woman with Down Syndrome will perform at the Bharatya Vidya Bhavan at Mylapore in Chennai. Her Indian-American family whose origins are from Chennai's Mylapore area have flown from the US for the event.
Hema has been learning the classical dance over the last twelve years. After finishing her high school diploma with honours from the Middletown High School in New Jersey, "Hema had rigorous training over the last four and a half years. She had her
Arangetrem (debut) in USA last September. The Programme was a grand success and an eye opener for global communities facing similar challenges", her father Ramesh Ramaswamy said.
Hema's story has already generated a buzz in Chennai - South India's cultural centre, which reverberates with music this season. Celebrated Carnatic vocalist and writer TM Krishna says "I believe Hema could be the first Down Syndrome Bharatanatyam dancer. I'd love to watch her performance".
Preston Merchant, a US based photographer and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University says "Hema's performance was so professional that no one would realize she's a Down Syndrome woman unless told".