"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
3 May 2017
Rachna Shah, who was born with severe hearing deficiency has made a landmark achievement by making a place in the Limca Book of Records- 2017 for - believe it or not -dancing, singing and playing harmonium.
LBR-2017 reads, "Rachna D Shah of Ahmedabad was born with profound hearing deficiency, but with speech therapy and training, she can speak, read and write in Gujarati, Hindi, Sanskrit and English. She dances, sings classical and folk songs, plays the harmonium and holds a first class B Tech degree."
One would find it very hard to believe that Rachna, 23 is a 'Sangeet Visharad' and a ' Bharatnatyam' dancer.
Rachna's mother Gyaneswari recalls that as Rachna was growing up, she never responded to their calls. That's when doctors detected profound hearing loss, but within six months of getting hearing aids, she started speaking a word or two.
Rachna's musical journey was a part of her therapy. Doctors told her parents to start with music or dance and they chose dance. Over the years, Rachna started developing interest in music too. At the age of six, she gave her first stage performance and then there was no looking back.
Rachna completed her Bharatnatyam course at the age of nine. She also got Sangeet Visharad certification from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. According to her mother, Rachna can play and sing eight classical ragas.