Thiruvananthapuram, 18th September 2025: The second edition of Sammohan, a national festival where individuals with disabilities showcase their talents in various performing arts including music, dance and theatre, will be held on September 27 and 28 in Kerala. Nearly 200 participants from across India and Kerala will take part in the festival. Hosted by the Different Art Centre (DAC) in Thiruvananthapuram, the festival will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
The event will host participants and representatives from esteemed institutions such as the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan), Kolkata; the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC–Nagpur); the neurodivergent music group Chayanit – The Chosen Ones from Delhi; and differently-abled individuals from SATYA Art & Culture Dance Studio, Jajapur, Odisha. A highlight of this year’s festival will be the performance by Chayanit – The Chosen Ones, a five-member neurodivergent band co-founded by Chayan Taneja, 22, a drummer from Delhi, and Devanga Bidrum Kalita, 29, a pianist from Assam. The group has earned acclaim for breaking barriers through music.
Alendra Tripathi, in-charge of Socio-Economic Rehabilitation at NILD, Kolkata, noted: “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.”
The festival is part of DAC’s broader mission to build an inclusive cultural and social ecosystem. This vision extends to the upcoming International Institute for People with Disability (IIPD) in Kasaragod, designed to integrate healthcare, education, therapies, arts, sports, and livelihood opportunities under one roof.
“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, DAC.