Inclusiv'e Voices with Lingaraju

A dancer with expertise in Bharatanatyam & experience in contemporary dance form; Mr. Lingaraju, a 39-year-old resident of Hulimavu, Bengaluru has been visually impaired since birth.

He did his schooling at Ramana Maharishi School for the Blind & completed his PUC & Bachelor of Arts through distance learning. His foray into Bharatanatyam started in his school, where his dance teacher would teach stances & positions by the touch-and-feel method. He has been performing since he was 8 years old & started giving international performances when he was 10 years old. He has completed the Bharatanatyam Madhyama Poorna exams with a 1st class. His passion is Classical dance & Sports; he is a dancer & a sportsman.

Despite his professional success, Lingaraju's journey has been marked by challenges and resilience. Born in a rural village, Lingaraju grew up surrounded by people who did not have enough knowledge or awareness to guide him. Once he started schooling in Bangalore, he observed children in higher classes pursuing dance & chose to learn it as well. His family started recognizing his skills & were happy for him once he started performing internationally.

Nationally, Lingaraju has given performances sponsored/organized by Lions Club, Iskcon, All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB), National Association for the Blind (NAB), and Indian Association of the Blind (IAB) among others where he has won multiple awards for solo performances numerous times. Internationally, he has performed for Kannada Sangha in Australia (AKSA), the Annual Indian –American festival in New Jersey, Kannada Kootas of America in Middleton, the Hindu Cultural Center of Connecticut, the Association of India in America- New York chapter, the Hindu temple of Chicago, Cultural festivals at Malaysia – UK, IOWA among many more representations globally.

Among the many awards & recognitions received, the most remarkable ones are

·       TTD’s Best Outstanding Performance in Tirupathi Hills

·       NFB Karnataka, Excellence award

·       National Human Rights Commission, Karnataka - Best visually challenged Classical Dancer award

·       Samarthanam trust for the disabled - Best outstanding performances in India & abroad in the field of dance 

·       Rotary Club Bengaluru – Warrior breaking barriers for exemplary achievement in life, 2024

As a dancer, Lingaraju has portrayed central & supporting roles. The preparation for these performances takes extensive preparation & practice for the positioning, placement & formations to be coordinated accurately. In the case of large stages, the accessibility of the placements on the stages is managed by cellophane tapes with textures, thin threads are used for demarcating the boundaries & help in movement within the space. Before the commencement of any performance, a final rehearsal is done with the artist working out on the stage, fixing the marks and position. In small stages, the steps are counted and according to that performance is carried out. This is a skill honed over many years of practice.

He is passionate about Volleyball & is a state-level player. He has played in many tournaments, sports meets & season cups with his team winning & being runners up in many matches. He also enjoys participating in team activities like Tug of War etc. He regularly donates blood & helps in saving precious lives.

Lingaraju married his schoolmate with the blessings of elders, who also enjoys dancing when she finds time from work & family. She is also visually impaired & works in the public sector. They have a lovely daughter who is the apple of their eye & their eyes to the world. Now, at 39 years old, he serves as proof of resilience and the unwavering human spirit.

Lingaraju's Understanding of Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations:

Lingaraju understands the importance of accessibility and reasonable accommodations. The world poses challenges for individuals with disabilities. Through his journey & personal encounters, he has realized that there is a general awareness amongst the people. Technological advancement has made it less challenging for the visually impaired to go through life.

Reasonable accommodations for him refer to sensitizing people to the needs of differently-abled people and creating awareness among service providers regarding the facilities made available to the differently-abled. Further continuing his reasonable accommodation necessary daily, he wishes the authorities were more proactive concerning the public infrastructure availability in usable condition for the differently abled.

The path has not been without its challenges. Learning to navigate the dance space, mastering intricate movements, and expressing nuanced emotions without visual cues has required creativity, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Each challenge has strengthened my resolve and deepened my love for this beautiful art form.

Sharing Lingaraju’s Empowerment message to the community: “To all aspiring dancers, especially those with disabilities, believe in your potential. Dance is for everyone, and your unique perspective adds richness to the art. Embrace your journey, celebrate your progress, and let your passion shine through every movement.”

I hope to inspire greater awareness and inclusion within the dance community. By fostering environments where diverse abilities are recognized and valued, we can create a world where everyone can express themselves through dance.

Dance has given me a vision beyond sight-a vision of strength, creativity, and boundless possibilities. Let us all dance to the rhythm of our hearts, embracing our unique journeys and inspiring others along the way.

Lingaraju's journey and his lived experiences with blindness highlight the changing accessibility needs for the evolving landscape of progressive conditions. His determination at various levels emphasizes the need to work on a comprehensive framework catering to every individual by ensuring that we adopt ‘Inclusion’ in everything we do.

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