Children with special needs perform dance-drama on the Ramayana

Children with special needs perform a dance-drama based on the Ramayana, challenging perceptions and celebrating inclusivity in art.

This time, the children did the story-telling.

An ensemble cast of children with special needs exhibited their creative side as they performed a dance-drama based on the Ramayana at a recent event in the city.

A group of 138 children with special needs featured in the “Rama Katha Sangraham,” a mythological dance-drama at the event organised by Satya Special School in partnership with Ramana Sunritya Aalaya (RASA) Chennai at the JIPMER auditorium.

The production, directed and choreographed by Ambika Kameshwar, RASA founder-director, aimed to challenge perceptions about the capabilities of children with disabilities while celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage.

The show also embodied an alignment of vision of two institutions —RASA founded in 1989 and Satya School which is celebrating its 20th anniversary — that have been proponents of inclusive art education and its therapeutic and empowering qualities.

Ms. Kameshwar, with extensive experience in using the arts for therapy and education, curated the production to showcase the unique abilities of each child participant.

“This performance was not just about retelling the Ramayana,” said Ms. Kameshwar, “It was about empowering these children, building their confidence, and showing the world that art knows no boundaries.”