A spotlight moment for 200 ‘differently talented’ persons

“As many as 200 disabled people, a 70-member crew and 100 days of work have gone into this performance just so the audience realise that the performers are ‘people with abilities’,” said Ambika Kameshwar, popular danseuse and founder-director of Ramana Sunritya Alaya (RASA), the only organisation in India that aims to empower the disabled members of the society through theatre arts.

Celebrating its 30th year of service with this performance, RASA nurtures holistic developmental practices to the sensory, intellectually and physically impaired people of the society to bolster their self-confidence and self-respect. In addition to them, the organisation also helps members with socio-economic challenges, who Ambika believes, need as much help as the rest.

The 200 performers belong to RASA’s six centres and several other special schools in the city and belong to various age groups -- children, young adults and elderly members. The two-hour performance, stitched together with various chapters that convey ‘mozhi’ or a moral message to the audience, will have no breaks.

Ambika, who has conceptualised more than 50 dance-dramas so far, explained, “Each chapter will inspire people on inclusivity and the importance of oneness. We want the audience to feel like they are part of a positive, thriving community when they leave home after the performance.”

Sooraj Viswanathan of Flying Horse Event Management Company said, “The event, which happens once a year, is open to all.”