Many dancers who once lit up film sets and stage performances are today struggling to make ends meet. Some have taken up jobs as rickshaw drivers, domestic workers and daily wage earners after work dried up, while others are battling financial and medical hardships with little support. It is this reality that prompted dancer-turned-entrepreneur Raj Surani, who has worked with choreographers Farah Khan, Bosco-Caesar and Remo D’Souza, to launch Nritya Seva, a welfare initiative aimed at supporting senior dancers in need.
Urgent Need for Support
Speaking about the situation, Raj says, “People are dying without medical help, without food and basic support. We cannot just sit and watch this happen. Many senior dancers dedicated their lives to the industry but have no security today.”
Cricket Tournament for a Cause
To raise awareness and funds, Nritya Seva has organised a cricket tournament on August 5 and 6, bringing together dancers and choreographers for a cause. Six teams, led by some of the industry’s biggest choreographers, will participate in the tournament, including Remo Ke Rangeele, Bosco Ke Baazigar and Terence Ki Toli.
Housing Project for Senior Women Dancers
One of the key highlights of the initiative is a housing project for senior women dancers facing financial distress. Ten women dancers have been shortlisted, and a lucky draw will be conducted before the tournament final. One winner will receive a one-bedroom home in Palghar.
Raj shares, “We wanted to do something meaningful. Some of our senior dancers are living in extremely difficult conditions. A one-bedroom home can provide security and dignity. If they choose, they can even rent it out and have a fixed source of income.”
Funding and Contributions
The house, valued at approximately ₹25 lakh, has been made possible through fundraising efforts and support from a developer who offered a discount worth ₹10 lakh. Raj says, “We have raised around ₹15 lakh, while the developer has supported the initiative with a substantial discount. Choreographers and members of the dance community have also contributed towards making this happen.”
Long-Term Support System
Raj has been working closely with fellow dancers Khushbu Gupta, Piyush Bhagat and Shazia Samji on the initiative, while several leading choreographers have extended their support to the cause. Beyond immediate assistance, Nritya Seva aims to create a long-term support system for dancers through financial aid, medical assistance and welfare programmes. Raj says, “There is no formal safety net for dancers. Their shelf life is often just five or six years. We need to create a system where one generation supports the next.”
Financial Planning for Young Dancers
The initiative is also focused on educating younger dancers about financial planning and career sustainability. He explains, “We want young dancers to learn from what happened to our seniors. They should save money, invest in medical insurance and develop additional skills. If work slows down, they should have other opportunities available to them.”
Raj reveals that discussions are already underway to create a welfare fund through small contributions from working dancers, ensuring continuous support for those who fall on difficult times later in life. He says, “This is for dancers, by dancers and of dancers. We want to build a transparent system that genuinely helps the people who have given so much to this industry.”
With the cricket tournament marking the first major step for Nritya Seva, Raj hopes it will encourage the dance fraternity to come together and ensure that senior dancers receive the dignity, recognition and support they deserve.
