Cultural education without disparity

RASA AADHARAN   a branch of RASA , Chennai was opened in Bengaluru in 2014..  Mrs Rupa Hemanth heads the centre and it was started when the need was felt to have a place  to cater to the population in the city.. 

RASA AADHARAN now has about  30 children and adults with special needs.

 Outlined briefly in the words of its centre head , the daily routine at the  centre 

The centre starts with the Prayer . This is  followed by either yoga or movement activity.

Music session - where either instruments /vocal or improvised instruments like plate, tumbler etc., are used according to the needs of the child. Music is used as a tool  to achieve the goals set for the individual with special needs.

Drama session - where emphasis is given on the speech,  situations, characters etc. These are used as tools to facilitate understanding of concepts.

Dance session - Coordination of body parts  along with the expressions to facilitate expression of feelings and co ordination .

Story telling – Here, the child is taught to speak with links like in stories to give a clear picture. He/she also learns the epics, morals and different expressions like navarasas, so this will help  the child to express what he/she feels and also learn , assimilate. 

Drawing and Arts & Crafts – During this time,  children will get to cut, paste, draw in thematic manner with proper attempt to understand the size, measurements and colour combinations

Here are two of their success stories:

Pavani* is an adult with mental challenges and with associated physical issues, never co -operated in any activity, now she recites action poems, for example she sings the songs" Bits of paper and picks up all the trash and pours it into the dustbin":…….Her mother also reports that she is much more co operative at home in activities of daily living. 

Vikram * an adult with Down s syndrome had several behavioural issues never used to talk to anybody, was very low on confidence, never used to co –operate with teachers in the sessions. Today he loves to be with his friends, helps his juniors. He volunteers in helping feed his friend Ashwin his lunch, takes leadership in bringing all his friends in a line while exercising and reports when in trouble to tackle things.

RASA AADHARAN continues its work five days a week in aid of people with special needs using the tools of Indian Theatre Arts.

 * Names of individuals have been changed to protect identity