Kerala to host second edition of disability arts festival Sammohan
The group has earned national recognition for breaking barriers through music.
The group has earned national recognition for breaking barriers through music.
The group has earned national recognition for breaking barriers through music.
Thiruvananthapuram: The second edition of Sammohan, a national festival celebrating the artistic excellence of persons with disabilities, will be held in Kerala on September 27 and 28. The event, hosted by the Different Art Centre (DAC) in Thiruvananthapuram, will bring together nearly 200 participants from across the country. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will inaugurate the festival.
The two-day cultural event will feature performances in music, dance and theatre by participants from leading institutions, including the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), Kolkata; the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Nagpur; SATYA Art & Culture Dance Studio, Odisha; and the neurodivergent music group Chayanit – The Chosen Ones from Delhi.
A major highlight this year will be the performance by Chayanit – The Chosen Ones, a five-member neurodivergent band co-founded by drummer Chayan Taneja, 22, from Delhi, and pianist Devanga Bidrum Kalita, 29, from Assam. The group has earned national recognition for breaking barriers through music.
“Sammohan is not just a cultural event; it is a national platform for individuals with disabilities to showcase their abilities. Events like these inspire confidence, build skills, and present their talents before the country,” said Alendra Tripathi, in charge of socio-economic rehabilitation at NILD, Kolkata.
The festival is part of DAC’s larger mission to create an inclusive cultural and social ecosystem. The initiative also aligns with DAC’s upcoming International Institute for People with Disability (IIPD) in Kasaragod, envisioned as a comprehensive centre integrating healthcare, education, therapies, arts, sports and livelihood opportunities.
“At DAC, we believe in empowering individuals with disabilities through dignified artistic platforms. Sammohan is a call to society to embrace diversity and celebrate every individual’s potential,” said Gopinath Muthukad, Founder and Executive Director of DAC.