Syed Sallauddin Pasha

🪔 About

Syed Sallauddin Pasha, born on June 15, 1968, in Anekal, Karnataka, India, is a globally acclaimed Indian classical dancer, choreographer, actor, and social reformer. He is recognized for his pioneering work in Bharatanatyam and Kathak, particularly for his innovative therapeutic dance theatre for persons with disabilities. Pasha received his Bharatanatyam training under the late K. P. Kittappa Pillai, S. Narmada, and Padmini Rao, and Kathak under the late Maya Rao. He also graduated as a Choreographer from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, Bangalore University. Pasha is noted as the first Muslim Bharatanatyam dancer in India and is an empanelled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, holding an 'A Grade' dancer status with Doordarshan. He founded and serves as the artistic director of Ability Unlimited and Miracle on Wheels, institutions dedicated to empowering differently-abled individuals through dance. Ability Unlimited Foundation is recognized as the world's first Therapeutic Dance Theatre for persons with disabilities, while Miracle on Wheels is India's first professional wheelchair dance company. He is the world's first pioneer of Classical Wheelchair Dance and the creator of the revolutionary concept “Natyashastra on Wheels,” which adapts ancient Indian dance treatises for performers with disabilities. His groundbreaking methodology, Therapeutic Dance Theatre, blends classical dance with healing and confidence-building. Pasha holds a Limca Book of Records entry for creating 100 dance theatre productions and directing over 10,000 performances with people of diverse abilities worldwide. He has dedicated over three decades to teaching classical dances and has trained thousands of differently-abled artists, enabling many to achieve national and international recognition. Awards & Honours: Proclamation from City of Marion Indiana (1994), Award from Governor of Karnataka V.S.Rama Devi (2001), Certificate of Appreciation (2002), Recognition from Espoo (ESBO) city cultural services (2003), Certificate of Appreciation (2005), Certificate of Recognition (2006), National Award for the welfare of persons with disabilities (2007), Sanskriti Foundation Award for Social cultural achievement (2008), Karmaveer Puraskaar Noble Laureate (2010), Attendance award (Uday Shankar Choreography award) (2012), Alva's Nudisiri Award of social services (2015), Karnataka Kalashree Award (2024), D. Litt (Doctor of Literature) (2025).