"Autistic is Artistic" The project leaders

Kathak Collective was an initiative started in 2006 with the aim of presenting the talent of upcoming dancers as well as collaborating with external institutions. Kathak Collective allowed the growth of the dance form showing how kathak is ever evolving and able to manipulate in any situation, yet still adhering to its traditional style, beauty and elegance. The philosophy of our dance group is to always explore new boundaries in which Kathak can portray an array of meanings, emotions and stories. The influence behind our dance style comes from having an Indian cultured upbringing in a British society.

We thought that this year's kathak collective should be different in that we explore a theme that portrays a topic close to our hearts. Something that we are passionate about and would allow us to explore a new direction with the dance form too. It naturally made sense that as two of the project leaders Heenal and Falguni, both work with children and young people with special needs, that it would be interesting to incorporate their knowledge and experiences with our dance production. As we started to explore the world of autism, it became clear that this was a cause that would benefit people within the Asian community as it is a subject that doesn't get talked about and has a sense of taboo around it. We decided to propose a project that would raise awareness, awaken and question the thinking around this subject and allow people to gather information and an insight into their world.

The project leaders:

FALGUNI UPADHYAYA
Age: 24
Occupation: Learning support teacher
Project leader role: Researcher/Educator/Dancer/Choreographer 

‘Freedom from gravity…flight from life is my dance’

I hold this mantra very dear to my heart; it encompasses all the components in my life from my childhood, my upbringing, my education and career, my spiritual beliefs, my travels around India, South America and Kenya and my dance. At the very center of these components lies my family; without their wisdom and grounded guidance I certainly wouldn’t be the young lady that I am today.

In all the sporadic and haphazard moments in my life, my dance has been the one ever-evolving consistent element, which has gone from being a simple hobby to a semi-profession and swims through my body, like the blood in my veins, the air in my lungs. So much so that my closest friends often joke that I dance even when I talk!

My job as working with children that have special educational needs in a mainstream school really challenged my often very conventional way of thinking. I came to a realisation that their so-called ‘special needs’ is an ability as opposed to a dis-ability.

Through my experiences at this school, I began to form a keen interest in autism. I learnt about the hearty work that the National Autistic Society does for individuals and families where autism is at the centre of their world. Instantly I was hooked, I also wanted to be part of their movement in raising awareness about this condition – and I soon found myself becoming a some sort of superwomen character out of a comic book (except without the cape and colourful strap suit!), jumping out of a plane at a height of 10,000ft, falling at 160mph as part of a fundraising stunt for this charity. It was while I was propelling from this distance and speed, I finally achieved ‘freedom from gravity, flight from life’!!

Still buzzing from this experience, my two best friends and I came up with the idea of using what we love doing most-dance- and use its versatility to communicate what it is like to have autism. We instantly started brainstorming thinking about different dance pieces, incorporating specific characteristics of autism, set design, costumes, music, movement phrases and themes; we created a dialogue, bouncing off idea’s from one another and what at one point seemed only an idea, now became ‘Autistic is Artistic’. 

HEENAL AMIN
Age: 23
Occupation: Classroom Assistant at The Sybil Elgar School
Project Role: Researcher/Coordinator/Dancer/Choreographer

My first encounter with ‘Autism’ was whilst studying Psychology at the University Of Hertfordshire. Although having in depth knowledge from many phenomenal studies, the text book definition of Autism, hadn’t prepared me for coming face to face and working with these somewhat excluded young people. My practical work with autism started as an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) tutor with a 5 year old autistic child. My first day with the child set me to tears and immediately indicated how integrated society was with Autistic individuals.  It was truly a life-changing experience. Progression has led me to work for the National Autistic Society as a classroom assistant in one of their secondary schools- The Sybil Elgar School, a specialist school for young people with Autism. I found my first couple of weeks extremely challenging but knew in my heart I would wake up happily to go to work, to deliver and make a difference to the lives of these young individual peoples and now I have been there for over 2 years. On the operating ground the work is difficult and demanding at times, nevertheless I wouldn't change a single element but contribute to the needs of helping such vulnerable young individuals.  It was during this period I decided I wanted to pursue a career in helping young people with Autism, their families and society to integrate to live in a better cohesion world.

Last year my self and my peer, Falguni accelerated through the sky falling from 13,0000 feet at over 120mph in a charity fund raiser to raise awareness of Autism. A great experience of 2011 by far. However I cannot stop at any cost, and am very pleased to be able to use the form of dance to raise awareness, portray the complexities of autism and raise money to provide resources for The Sybil Elgar School- a institution very dear to my heart. 
Inbred deep within my creed I haven't stopped tapping my feet since the age of 6 and I am very grateful to be able to share my passion of Autism with 9 other Kathak dancers who I have shared the stage with for over 12 years. I am very grateful to all my family and friends for the non stop support they have given me through my journey of autism. It is a great pleasure to be able to join my passions in life together by presenting- 'Autistic is Artistic'. Like all of us every child is an individual so...Remember ‘Every Child Matters’- Accept their differences not their indifferences. 

DHRUTI DATTANI
Age: 26
Occupation: Marketing
Project Role: Marketing/Dancer/Choreographer

Dancer, Mehndi artist, Marketer, Graphic Designer, Artist. As a Young free spirit I like to get involved in all things creative where a freedom of expression is vital. A natural progression of studies and interests has involved pursuing creativity. With a passion for art I started my own company to establish myself as a Mehndi Artist, which also reinforced a passion for marketing. An interest in marketing also came when studying at the University of Hertfordshire where I learnt about the Media industry and digital application where a creative process was involved. All my endeavors have involved creativity such as dance. Throughout my life, dance has been the one constant which has allowed the connection of the mind, body and spirit. I count dance to have had a great deal of influence on my outlook on life as it has allowed me to develop into a positive, creative and spiritual individual. 

Taking on this project has been a process of learning and understanding the complexities of autism, as it is a subject that I didn't know too much about. This journey has been exciting as I have been able to apply my skills in planning the event but also learn about autism along the way from research and a sharing of first hand experiences from my co-project leaders and two dearest friends Heenal and Falguni.