Representative image
Credit: iStock Photo
Bengaluru: Kalaangana, an inclusive festival of art and culture, brought together children with disabilities, parents, teachers and caregivers in a vibrant celebration of talent, creativity, and community.
The two-day event, held on January 8 and 9, marked the 19th edition of the festival. Over 700 students from 29 schools participated.
Organised by the Bengaluru-based Information Resource Centre, this year’s theme, ‘Inclusion within Disability’, stressed collaboration and shared participation among persons with diverse disabilities.
Students took part in group dance and music band performances, along with art displays. A tableau display was introduced this year as a new event for students, adding a strong visual and narrative element to the festival. Except for art, all student events were group performances.
“The idea was to bring together people with diverse disabilities to perform collectively, starting inclusion at the individual level,” said Brunda Murthy, a career special educator at Leap Years by Adiksha, a Bengaluru-based learning centre for children with special needs.
"It is not the competition that matters, but the sense of community and belonging that Kalaangana fosters. That is the biggest reason many of us take part year after year.”
The festival also expanded its inclusive approach beyond students. Teachers participated in competitions highlighting innovative teaching-learning materials, caregivers took part in rangoli making, and parents of children with special needs joined in art events — underscoring Kalaangana’s focus on the entire support ecosystem around the child.
The Tom and Jerry Special School won the overall championship, with Eka Educational and Charitable Trust as runner-up.