Kerala’s “Savishesha” Arts Festival Celebrates Talent and Inclusion of Differently-Abled Children

Thiruvananthapuram: As the song “Shivadam nirayum pranayam chinmaya roopam…” echoed on stage, children from Kannur Dharmadam JC Special School beamed with delight while performing in praise of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Every step they took was a testament to overcoming limitations. Parents and teachers applauded enthusiastically, while Arjun Satheesh and Akshaya, dressed as women, showed a hint of shyness. Shad Farhan and Ridha Fathima’s energetic dance steps to a Hindi song brought warmth to the audience’s hearts.

Organized by the State Government’s Social Justice Department, the Special Arts Festival "Savishesha" empowers children with disabilities to explore a world without limits. Events like the employment fair, film screenings, open forums, and skill development workshops uplift both the children and society, highlighting the creativity and resilience of differently-abled students. A small marketplace displaying products made by the children further showcased their determination. Parents and teachers expressed the desire for such inclusive initiatives to continue across Kerala.

At JC Special School, Dharmadam, eight students performed the traditional Thiruvathira dance. For many, it was their first opportunity to perform on such a platform. Students Susrath Jahan, Marseena, Nivedya, Vidhish, Adithya, and Darshan participated alongside the group. A team from Malappuram presented a cinematic dance performance with Alf, Shahin, Rishan, Shehina Sherin, Shibinshah, and Sharsha. The program was coordinated by the Vilakku Foundation, in collaboration with the students’ parents.

This team is far from inexperienced; they have performed at several locations in the UAE and some colleges in Kerala. Shad Farhan has completed his undergraduate degree from Malappuram Government College, while Shaheen is a third-year student there. Alf is a plus-two student at Makkarapparamp GVHSS. The children are preparing for an inclusive conclave in Kozhikode the next day.

Kerala has emerged as a model state for education and rehabilitation of children who are differently abled. The state has introduced special curriculam for special schools for the first time in India. Deaf schools have special textbooks covering classes 1–4. The Department of General Education gives special attention to the education of differently-abled children. Government policy ensures that each child can live independently in society without constant assistance.

Differently-abled children are entitled to special consideration in society. But, they do not need pity or sympathy; what they need is support for social participation. Rehabilitation programs focusing on special education and skill training help achieve this goal. Kerala has been ahead of other states in implementing these initiatives. The Social Justice Department’s interventions in this sector are widely recognized.

According to the 2015 Social Justice Department survey, 793,937 people in Kerala have some form of disability. Of these, 438,853 are men, 353,895 are women, and 1,187 are transgender individuals. Approximately 232 people per 10,000 have some type of disability. Children constitute 7–10% of the disabled population and face significant challenges in accessing education. Society has a responsibility to provide them with the support they need to thrive.

The spectrum of disabilities includes physical, intellectual, sensory, and multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological disorders, blindness, severe visual impairment, learning disabilities, speech and language disorders, mental illness, hearing impairment, leprosy-cured individuals, hemophilia, thalassemia, dwarfism, epilepsy, and others. Among these, intellectual disabilities account for the largest share (up to 3% of the population).

Through initiatives like the Special Arts Festival, Kerala continues to create opportunities for differently abled children to express their talents, gain confidence, and engage meaningfully with society.