The Accident and the Recovery
Sudha Chandran was born in Mumbai on September 27, 1965. She started learning Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, at the age of three. She was a talented and dedicated student who won many awards and accolades for her performances. She also had a keen interest in academics and wanted to pursue a career in engineering or medicine.
In June 1981, when she was returning from a dance performance in Tamil Nadu, her bus met with an accident. She suffered severe injuries to her right leg, which got infected and had to be amputated below the knee. She was devastated by the loss of her limb and felt that her life was over. She went into depression and lost all hope of dancing again.
However, with the support of her parents and her dance teacher, she decided to fight back and resume her dance training. She got an artificial leg fitted at the Jaipur Foot Rehabilitation Centre in Rajasthan, which is a prosthetic device made of rubber and wood. She had to undergo a lot of physical and mental pain to adjust to the new limb and learn to balance herself. She practiced for hours every day, ignoring the bleeding and swelling in her stump. She also faced a lot of criticism and ridicule from some people who doubted her ability to dance with a disability.
The Film and the Fame
In 1984, Sudha Chandran got an opportunity to act in a Telugu film called Mayuri, which was based on her own life story. The film was directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Ramoji Rao. The film showed how Sudha Chandran overcame her tragedy and achieved fame as a dancer. The film was a huge hit and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. Sudha Chandran received praise for her acting and dancing skills, as well as for her courage and determination.
In 1986, the film was remade in Hindi as Naache Mayuri, with Sudha Chandran reprising her role. The film also starred Shekhar Suman, Aruna Irani, Vinod Nagpal, and Dina Pathak. The film was also well-received by the audience and critics alike. Sudha Chandran became a household name and an inspiration for many people who faced physical or emotional challenges.
The Career and the Legacy
After the success of Mayuri and Naache Mayuri, Sudha Chandran continued to act in films and television shows in various languages. Some of her notable films include Nache Nagin Gali Gali (1989), Hum Intezaar Karenge (1989), Shikari: The Hunter (1991), Lal Baadshah (1999), Malamaal Weekly (2006), etc. Some of her popular television shows include Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000-2008), Kaahin Kissii Roz (2001-2004), Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2003-2006), Naagin (2015-2016), etc. She also participated in reality shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2007) and Bigg Boss (2010). She has won several awards for her acting and dancing performances, including the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2014.
Sudha Chandran is not only a successful artist but also a social activist who works for the welfare of differently-abled people. She has established a dance academy called Natya Mayuri Sudha Chandran Dance Academy, where she teaches dance to students of all abilities. She has also performed at various national and international events, showcasing her talent and spreading awareness about the potential of people with disabilities. She is a living example of how one can overcome any obstacle with passion, perseverance, and positivity.
Sources:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
a104e7fe7e