<p>Rhythm transcends all differences, and Mumbai&rsquo;s Jyoti Mastekar proves it. Despite a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-bmc-forms-new-policy-to-help-disabled-residents-financially-23304394" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">physical disability</a> affecting her arms, the 36-year-old teaches dance as a form of expression to blind students and children with cancer. As a budding influencer, she is also pushing for commercial opportunities for differently abled artistes, believing performance art is for everyone.</p>
<h2>Dance forms</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Jyoti-Mastekar_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>Having learnt a bit of Bharatanatyam in her college days, Jyoti now teaches semi-classical, folk, and Bollywood dance to her students. She draws inspiration from her own journey, when she first started dancing at her school for differently abled kids. After moving to a mainstream school, she had to convince hesitant teachers that she could perform. She eventually succeeded, refusing to compromise on her makeup or costumes as a design student.</p>
<h2>Beat count</h2>
<p>Once a week, Mastekar and her <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-visually-impaired-residents-injured-after-buses-block-footpath-outside-jogeshwari-hostel-23648240" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">visually impaired students</a> assemble at a studio in Jogeshwari. Recognising that her own methods would not apply, she blindfolded herself to understand the challenges they face. She now guides them precisely with beats and counts, including how many steps to take forward or back, how to attempt a spin, and how to catch onto beats. When students have to bend or curve their bodies, they feel her back to understand the exact pose.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Gym-a_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<h2>Equal stage</h2>
<p>Performance artistes with disabilities continue to face significant challenges, according to Mastekar. They are often offered lower pay, replaced by non-disabled dance troupes or treated merely as a fallback option. Mastekar believes it is therefore equally important to create commercial opportunities for <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-s-infrastructure-push-falters-on-accessibility-leaves-disabled-citizens-struggling-23609651" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">physically handicapped</a> artistes and ensure their talent is valued on an equal footing.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Bright future</h2>
<p>Jyoti believes that despite disabilities, individuals can be truly gifted. While her students find a fun outlet through her classes, she hopes to help them take their journey forward and is optimistic about the opportunities ahead for many like her.</p>
<h2>Jyoti shares</h2>
<p>&ldquo;While my journey with dance has been different owing to my handicap, I soon realised that the same principles could not be applied to my students. I blindfolded myself to understand the difficulties visually impaired dancers may face and now teach them accordingly. When they have to bend or curve their bodies, they feel my back to understand the exact pose. I also guide them individually and help mould their movements, though it can be difficult when the students are taller.&rdquo;</p>

Mumbai’s Jyoti Mastekar, who has a physical disability, teaches dance to blind students and children with cancer through beats and counts

Mumbai’s Jyoti Mastekar teaches dance to blind students, children with cancer

Mumbai: Six stray cats brutally killed, mutilated in Govandi; RCF police register FIR

Thirty-six-year-old arm-disabled teacher Jyoti Mastekar helps blind, cancer-hit kids find joy in rhythm

Mumbai’s Jyoti Mastekar uses dance to empower blind students and children with cancer

Dance forms

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Mumbai’s Jyoti Mastekar uses dance to empower blind students and children with cancer