Rising Above-the Kamal Singh Story

Kamal Singh's mother calls him "Noni." Out of all her children, she says, he had the biggest dreams. She was right.

Kamal grew up in a humble working-class family in India. They didn't have a television at home. He'd tell his mother, "When I grow up, I'll buy you one. Don't worry about anything." His parents weren't educated, but they were determined their children would be.

At 17, he discovered ballet. By the dance world's standards, that's nearly a decade too late to build a professional career. He started anyway. He trained in India, then Russia, where he won a soloist role and a scholarship despite competing against dancers with ten years more experience.

In Russia, mid-jump, his patka came off. The other dancers laughed. Later, in professional auditions, he learned his Sikh identity was holding him back. Cutting his Kesh was one of the hardest decisions of his life. His parents agreed, believing he would come back to his faith. He still recites Japji Sahib and Rehras Sahib every day. He still calls himself a seeker.

Today he performs across Europe. He's the first European Indian ballet dancer most of his fellow dancers have ever met. His mother puts it simply: "My son has made me known to the world."