DIVYA ARORA'S PROFILE

"What living and buried speech is always vibrating here,
What howls restrained by decorum..."

In the growing discourse on justice, ethics and equity, one comes across rights based approaches toward restoring dignity to the marginalized. The sensitivity and the passion to do this, stems from an understanding of the issues related to access, to resources and decision-making in the social, political and economic spheres. The drive to carry on comes from experiences that life teaches. While some of us choose to remain indifferent to innumerable stimuli hitting us, others get destroyed, and some confront them with full force and emerge victorious, celebrating the process of change.

Many societal concerns remain buried under the decorum, - the seeming peace marked by mammoth indifference of the society, the corporate world - private as well as public sector's indifference reflected in the social and economic policies of the government, and the attitudes governing peoples responses to the needs of the marginalized section of society, encompass the disabled, especially in India.

This is a write-up on Divya, who despite being a victim of cerebral palsy (physical disability) thus making her a part of the marginalized section of society comprising of the disabled has showed exemplary sensitivity and courage at understanding the complex socio-political and economic processes that have bearing on the issue, and has been knocking them down to implement able intervention strategies by using theatre as a powerful tool to bring about awareness and create sensitivity.

Divya Arora, is a young lady of substance and though on a wheelchair and affected by cerebral palsy since birth, she has proved that there is 'Ability in disability'. A much remembered alumni of Lady Shri Ram college Delhi University, not for her physical disability or receiving a degree in Sociology Honors, but also for taking away the life time 'Indomitable Courage' awards along with various accolades in diverse extra curricular activities, mostly in performing arts and creativity, making her institute proud of her 'abilities' thus overshadowing her physical 'disabilities'. Rather, at the sentimental moment of bidding adieu she was truly the reason that left the bubbling campus cheerless, yet sensitive, making way for future 'women of substance' who dared to dream like her.

Ironically she had gathered meritorious masters in French, even before her Bachelor's one, a few months later even a teachers training to take on the role of a professor. Being passionate about performing arts, taking on various role in life situation thus, proved herself as not less than any 'able'. Her mission in life became to prove at every step that the disable were equal counter parts of every human society, but were socially forced to be marginalized due to the lack of sensitivity caused by mammoth indifference in the attitudes of the 'able'. This was the result of the paucity of awareness regarding the issue of disability and the disable. Thus proving that physical disabilities are more social disabilities. Her every action had a deeper purpose, with the desired result of making a difference, towards the 'disable community' which she redefines as differently able'. For her the need of the hour remains social transformation in the attitudes governing people's minds towards the above and thus leading to social change.

With formal academic training in the study of societies, social institutions through sociology, her attitude drew her towards social change…a change for the disable, giving her the character of a social activist fighting for the rights of the disable demanding justice and social equality in all spheres of life.

After taking on numerous real life roles, with passion towards the performing arts, the only self-satisfying vocation for such a creative mind had to be theatre, which over the years took over her mind, body and soul. By taking on various challenging roles made for any able bodied, she carries them out with equal if not more zest and enthusiasm, without disrupting the storyline, pace or the essence preserving its originality, but just giving a meaning. Combining intellect with inborn talent of being passionate towards theatre, she chose to lend entertainment meaning by capturing the audiences in their most receptive self, as spreading awareness and creating sensitivity remained the underlying aim incorporating the entertainment genre.

Today, she is a theatre director, actor and India's national level, the premier and the only one in the country who is a professional actor, successfully performs on a wheelchair, and is commercially into theatre and performing arts.

Having said the above she has received various citations and awards in the field of theatre, the most out standing being Hindustan Times " "Hall of fame" generation now award 2003-2004. Having 20 successful theatrical shows / endeavors behind her, comprising of 18 successful theatrical directorial ventures in New Delhi, associating with the sensitive, social issue of disability awareness, indirectly redefining theatre as being 'Theatre for a purpose and give entertainment a deeper meaning' Most of her successful shows have been at the India Habitat Centre and India International Center. Her most remembered venture is a 18th century award winning French play " Le jeu de L'amour et du hazard" which she has translated and adapted from the original to English as "Romance By Chance" making her the first one in the world to bring it to Asia and also the first to translate it into English, in the world. Due to Divya's untiring efforts and commitment to the endeavor "Romance By Chance!" after incorporating an even more social angle pertaining to Disability, on 23rd and 24th September, 2002 gave four breathtaking performances during "The old theatre festival 2002" at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The play was mentioned to be one of the best plays, if not the best play of the festival. Others outside the national capital, in Goa at the Goa Marriott Resort. Recently done a successful national premier of a theatrical endeavor with the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi.

Though not to far in age, in comparison to the other theatre directors yet she competes on parallel parameters in terms of quality, innovation, creativity and presentation of each of her theatrical productions, without any signs of compromise in any aspect. Moreover, gives a deeper meaning to theatre, yet meets with financial challenges to keep herself and her passion for theatre going. She is ready to present her twenty-first milestone production of 'Barefoot in the park' (1963) The worlds most successful romantic comedy ever to grace the Broadway stage by Neil Simon , America's supreme foremost play write of contemporary comedies. As a preface, we are very obliged and proud to mention that "Barefoot in the park" had it successful premier that took place at Taj Palace Hotel New Delhi on the 31st August 2004 which was high profile for the hospitality sponsors, the Taj Palace and the selective invitees in their respected venue being the exclusive banquet hall the Shahjehan.

It is undoubtedly worth the mention that with Divya's determination, undying efforts brought the production immediate success. It further received a 2 minutes standing ovation, even by the theatre and media critiques at the India International Center, New Delhi on 23rd October 2004, where the same was invited for an exclusive show for IIC members. Followed by 3rd February 2005,at the park Hyatt Goa (for a private corporate show) and 11th February 2005 at the Tagore theatre Chandigarh. For Divya "Barefoot in the park" holds special attachment and meaning . she presented meaning on stage with her very special friend Daman , another national level actor , recipient of the presidential award. Both as the lead couple with their ten years of offstage chemistry created passionate revelations at every performance successfully begging the much deserved standing ovations.

Raving success, positive media reviews and standing ovations Divya Arora wants the production to travel back to Goa in 2005 for a public show on a larger scale, after the large scale public show in New Delhi and her desired venue remains her favorite, India Habitat Centre. She is once again ready to mesmerize the theatre lover's of New Delhi hence, once again making it 'Theatre for a purpose and entertainment with a meaning' production. Divya is opening the national Capital's theatre season 2005 by presenting 'Barefoot in the park' at her desired venue in August 2005!

Divya's dreamt final destination to enter films has been made a reality! She has been identified as an actor. Having the vast theatrical experience, she is all geared up to successfully play the principle role in a Mumbai based film maker and director, Faisal Saif's fourth coming commercial film, "life is a bitch". The film is specifically being made keeping in mind the international viewers through various international film festivals.

The second half of 2005 is full of excitement for Divya. She is all set to once again romance with her memorable production of 'Romance by chance'. She is all geared to travel with this meaningful theatrical endeavor to other destinations, in the coming months. Having 'Barefoot in the park' and 'Romance by chance' both highly credited and successful meaningful productions in hand, both underlying a deeper meaning of romancing with the social issues of disability, Divya is ready to creatively combat the insensitive mindsets, by exhibiting social awareness hence, creating sensitivity on a wider geographical frontier. She requests support from all spheres and different walks of life to collectively unite and support the endeavor and thus indirectly the social causes.

For her the city of Banglore - India's Silicon valley, Mumbai - the Hub Of the Corporate and finance world of India and New Delhi - the country's National Capital where all the decision-making takes place and welfare policies are made and implemented. But …do the very same minds of the informatics, kings of the corporate and finance world along with the decision-makers even ponder for a second about their 'differently able' counter parts while making decisions, or does the corporate world even think about their corporate responsibility? Divya leaves this statement as an open ended question and dares to get the answer from the society.

This determined girl wants to break mental barriers and bring self- realization in the people that their 'differently able' counter parts are just like them, and wish to be accepted by the society as a whole with equal zeal.

In the coming months the itinerary boasts of a desired multi-city meaningful theatre tour, the first ever in India with its underlying uniqueness. Divya herself being a victim of this marginalisation dares to address the theatre lovers of New Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Channai , Hydrabad and Kolkata as a protagonist of the play, portraying various triumphs thus, challenging them to accept her as second to none. In turn make them open to accepting other 'differently able' like herself with the same emotion, zest and hence requests your partnership and support towards this noble yet unique endeavor.

However, she without wanting to limit her meaningful production to the above mentioned cities, she is determined to travel in and around the country. Being commercially into the entertainment industry underlying a deeper meaning of exhibiting social awareness, redefining theatre as being ' Theatre For A Purpose And Entertainment With A Meaning' thus, begged the deserved above said acclaimed status. The city of Mumbai appears on top of her list where she desires to present her meaningful productions. Having touched higher levels of production quality and having maintained it, she desires to associate herself and her meaningful production with none other than the famous 'Prithvi Theatre' and with their concern towards humanity be supported by them. Thus stage the same at none other than the Prithvi theatre, Mumbai in the coming months. However, is open to accepting support from who ever wishes to support exercising humanity to their existence.

The next in waiting are Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Chandigarh and finally serving as a resting place for these meaningful productions as well as for her soul be the paradise of the Indian continent, Goa- the place that gave her production the maiden success along with it the needed acceptance ,recognition and unconditional love. Hence, she holds Goa special and would return each time after serving society with the awareness message through her meaningful productions and do the finale there submersing the production and herself in the loving waters before making a new beginning…….again for the next set of rounds ….

She constantly is on the look out for not only the corporate and the finance world, but also individuals who feel for the cause and desire to fulfill their social responsibility as she requests them to kindly support her endeavors, by means of sponsorships and thus get associated with the noble practice and in turn the social cause.

"Prove it if you can, feel for the cause, show your human spirit" commands the young zealous, spirited and refusing to give up Divya Arora. With this thought, she, humbly request financial support not only from the national capital of New Delhi - the city that has witnessed the dynamics of what Divya was and the Divya that she is TODAY…but also the wider society, the nation of who's she is an equal citizen.

The optimistic, confident, committed and self-reliant girl that Divya is, she affirms that "Today while walking on the long path of life, I see myself as not a disabled, but an able human being who has achieved a lot and is yet aspiring for greater realms of success and consciousness…"

"Kindly support the social endeavor and help me make other's like me to feel the same and live with dignity" Request's Divya Arora.