Life comes with its own set of challenges no matter what the age. Recite you shares an influential journey filled with struggles of Prerana that represents the perfect example of faith, resilience, power, courage and love.
Prerana, born in 1985 in Pune had to face severe adversity at an early age of six. She suffered a paralytic attack which made her physically challenged and hearing impaired. Doctor said she would never walk again. Her hearing was also affected to a great extent where her mother Ujjwala and her father noticed she was not either responding to her parents. The attack has even damaged her hearing ability too.
Ujjwala and her family were shattered. What worsened their situation was emotional trauma and financial struggles. A well said quote is, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Ujjwala sister handed over a book to Ujjwala amidst of the challenges faced by them, “Helen Keller’s autobiography,” The Story of My Life an inspiring autobiography, detailing her life from isolation to education despite being deaf and blind.
Because of Hellen’s story she found the strength to reimagine her daughter’s perfect future and convinced herself that Prerana can see.
Prerana’s Dance of Determination Against All Odds
Ujjwala started a relentless and determined journey to help Prerana live a quality life. She explored every medical option available, and turned to ayurveda, anticipating and trusting its natural healing power. Prerana started regaining her ability to walk. But Prerana was still suffering from hearing loss. But she chose not to isolate herself and let her inner spark shine.
Watching the grace and rhythm of Bharatnatyam she slowly started showing interest in it i.e., the ancient Indian classical dance widely recognized for its rich storytelling through expressions.
She knocked on the doors of every dance academy to learn Bharatanatyam but to most it seemed impossible for a childlike Prerana to learn a dance deeply connected with beats and music. But she chose not to let her interest die and keep knocking harder.
A True Mentor
A respected Bharatnatyam teacher, Guru Shumita Mahajan saw Prerana beyond her disability and recognized the fire in her eyes to learn. Under the patient and skillful mentorship of Guru Shumita, Prerana learned to dance by feeling the beats through vibrations and understanding the flow of music through visual cues.
She started pushing herself to limit and after years of intense practice in 2007, Prerana secured her Arangetram (the first solo performance of a classical dancer, that marks the culmination of her formal training). This achievement of Her’s is a reflection of her dedication, resilience, and discipline.
Strength in Every Step
She continued grabbing the attention of audiences across India. And every performance of hers represents a thunderous statement – Nothing can hold you back when you push yourself to do better and dares to dream. In 2015, Prerana was awarded with a National Award for its unbelievable journey. Watching her daughter living life to fullest and receiving such an honor made Ujjwala deeply proud and emotional.
Her journey signifies that disability does not define a person, and does not limit its ability to dream and achieve. Knowing how hard it is to face it, Ujjwala decides to pen down their journey in a book named ‘Sounds of silence’ because Prerana’s journey screams that even in silence, one can design a deep symphony, if the heart is strong enough. In the book she unfolds all the years of pain, undying hope, hard work, small victories and the lovely transformation of her daughter Prerana into a graceful dancer.
