One need not know sign language to understand what Cheruvu Ravi Chandra has to say about his father. This deaf-mute magician who received national award this year as the ‘Outstanding Creative Adult Person with Disability' has it writ large on his bright face, his hands vigorously drawing words in the air.
“Without my father, I am nothing. It is only because of him that I am what I am today,” he says, pointing to a wiry old man sitting beside him.
In a society where parents consider disabled children a curse and leave them to their fate, Cheruvu Sitaram, father of Ravi Chandra, is indeed a prize. He has been the bulwark behind his son's every achievement.
This retired employee of IDPL has rarely left his son alone since the latter lost hearing due to an attack of meningitis during childhood. An avid cultural enthusiast, Sitaram would take Ravi Chandra regularly to Ravindra Bharathi shows. That was where he met Chokkapu Venkataramana, a renowned magician who mentored the 14-year-old Ravi Chandra into a fine conjuror.
“My son was in school then. Mr. Venkata Ramana readily agreed to my request to teach him magic. I spent much of my time accompanying him to the classes and shows,” Mr. Sitaram says.
He even refused promotion to spend more time with his son, and took voluntary retirement from service. He also donned the mantle of magician's assistant for his son's shows.
Ravi Chandra went on to find place in the Limca Book of Records by performing 100 shows in a year, and later broke his own record with 120 in a year. He attended three World Deaf Magician Festivals and won first, third, and second prizes respectively.
“In 2008, when the festival was held in California, I approached Air India with my son's profile, and they sponsored our travel. For registration and other expenses, the Disabled Welfare Department helped with Rs.One lakh,” Mr.Sitaram reminisced.
Ravi Chandra performed over 2000 shows so far. Sitaram's only regret is that he could not get a government job for his son.
“I approached two Chief Ministers asking for a job, but to no avail,” he says with a tinge of repentance.