The Doctors Forbade Me To Dance, But I’ve Invented A New Dance Form

After a severe knee injury, Kathak dancer Sumana Das was forbidden to dance but she continues to follow her passion for dance using an innovation, ‘the chair dance’.

Dear Readers,

My name is Sumana Das and I am professionally a banker and passionately a dancer. I have learnt Kathak dance from my Guru Smt. Chanda Jana, from my hometown of Haldia, in West Bengal. I have performed at many stage shows and represented college at junior and senior level as well. Earlier I used to perform 5 days a week when I was in my hometown.

Dance gives me so much joy and happiness. When I dance I enter into a different universe. I feel it is only me in that universe and all around is happiness. The music has been composed only for me. It is the biggest thing that defines my personality. It has taught me discipline, emotions, strength, togetherness, all at the same time. It puts a smile on my face and fills my heart with joy.

Everything was good until one day while going to office, I hurt my right knee in a Mumbai local train. Since then – it’s been 6 years now, I am not allowed to do any strenuous physical activities. I can walk, however I cannot put pressure on my knees, and hence cannot dance the normal way, I cannot bend my knees.

I felt devastated. I have shown it to many many doctors in Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata however till date I have not received a green signal from the doctors. Two months back, doctors told me that my left knee has been also been affected since all these 5+ years I used to put my whole body pressure on my left side.

Trust me, it’s not easy; however I simple forget everything when I dance.

My ‘Chair Dance’ journey started with thinking that if I can’t change the situation, may be I can change my outlook and do things differently to achieve my goals and keep my passion alive. That is how I created my own concept of Chair Dance and its been 8 months now since I am performing dance seated on a chair. It was certainly difficult for me to dance in public in a different way; it took a lot of courage and I posted my first video on PULA, a Facebook group for women in Pune. All of them showered so much love on me, that it encouraged me and convinced me that, YES, I can still dance!

I get immense happiness when people say that I encourage them and motivate them. However, it hasn’t always been a smooth journey. Many people criticize my form of dance. They have commented negatively on my dance posts and being a human being, I do feel bad at times. However I am determined to continue and I shall always count on the blessings of those who have been positive about my work.

My own concept of Chair Dance has given me a ray of hope. I have converted my limitations into Innovation.

You can follow me at my Facebook page, Anybody Can Dance.

My motto is to make people aware that we can still achieve our dreams. I understand how it feels when you want something very badly but can’t get it. I would love to teach dance to the children and elderly people who are in wheel chairs. Dance has several benefits including mind and body healing. I would be very happy if I can make a difference by giving happiness to others.

Food for an artist is support and therefore all I need is everyone’s support. I am very thankful to Women’s Web for giving me such a wonderful platform to share my life story.

To sum it up, “I don’t just dance. I perform. I breathe. I watch the world disappear. I release my feelings. I lead with my heart. I tear down my walls. I stop feeling sad. I lose the pain. I let go. I smile. No, I don’t just dance, I do so much more.”

#ChairDance #LoveForDance #Kathak #Ghungroo #AnyBodyCanDance #SpreadHappiness 

Sumana Das

Hi. My name is Sumana Das. I am a dancer. Since childhood i love dancing.

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