Deaf-mute 'Super Dancer' boy gets medical help from channel

Harsh Dhara -- a 10-year-old hearing and speech impaired child contestant on popular dance reality show "Super Dancer" -- is getting medical treatment sponsored by Sony Entertainment Television.

Harsh has impressed the show's judges -- actress Shilpa Shetty, ace choreographer Geeta Kapoor and filmmaker Anurag Basu -- with his unique talent of dancing without being able to hear a note of music.

He has been given a hearing aid due to which he can hear 70 per cent better, and he is also getting speech therapy.

In an upcoming episode, Harsh will be seen speaking in a muffled sound.

"He said 'Geeta ma, Shilpa Shetty and Anurag Basu' in muffled sound, but it was a big moment for everyone. Everyone was choked. Shilpa expressed how Harsh was her late father's favourite, who if he was still around, would have been extremely happy to see the moment," said a source from the show's set.

Gaurav Nathani, who is Harsh's dance teacher, is happy that Harsh has started gaining hearing ability and would also be able to speak in future.

"I decided to take up the challenge to teach Harsh and since he could not listen, I communicated with him through gestures. Now he can hear quite well, but will have to undergo speech therapy before he can respond to sounds properly. It's a happy moment for us."

--IANS

sas/rb/vt