Keralam’s Social Justice dept to roll out virtual platform to promote artistic talents of differently abled

The goal is to establish a sustainable digital ecosystem that connects talented differently abled artistes with wider audiences and potential opportunities, while supporting visibility, recognition, participation and income-generation opportunities through their artistic work. | Photo Credit: The Hindu In a significant step towards lifting the cloak of invisibility that surrounds the differently abled and ensuring their inclusion, the Social Justice department proposes to roll out a virtual platform to promote and showcase their artistic talents.‘Rhythm Virtual Platform’ is envisaged as a dedicated digital platform that will professionally document the talents of the differently abled, especially the intellectually challenged.As part of the Talent Search for Youth with Disabilities (TSYD) programme, the department had in 2023 set up Rhythm, a 20-member State art troupe of intellectually challenged artistes, with the aim of providing them with opportunities for professional training, performances, public recognition, and income generation.With the Rhythm Virtual Platform, the department wants to create wider digital visibility for the artistes and facilitate access to their performances by government departments, local self-governments, institutions, cultural organisations, programme organisers, and the public.The goal is to establish a sustainable digital ecosystem that connects talented differently abled artistes with wider audiences and potential opportunities, while supporting visibility, recognition, participation and income-generation opportunities through their artistic work.The programme will be implemented by the State Initiative on Disabilities (SID) under the Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM) of the Social Justice department (SJD).“Artistic expression is not only about showcasing talent but part of the rehabilitation process also. A virtual platform will further decentralise the vision and make it more inclusive so as to reach to more differently abled persons,” says Social Justice Director Arun S. Nair who is also the executive director of the Kerala Social Security Mission.Mr. Arun Nair says the idea is to engage the differently abled, especially the intellectually challenged, in some activity that can tap into their talents and help them burn their energy as part of their rehabilitation. The virtual platform will help overcome limited reach and centralisation that had made an extension of the offline Rhythm initiative difficult.It will also foster a strong sense of belonging and community for both the differently abled and their caregivers by providing a space for getting together and engaging in leisure activities.Instead of State-wide screening to select talented persons, the plan is to organise these at the district-level. Training will also be provided at one or more centres in the districts so that they can receive invitations for performances. “We aim to reach out around 200 persons a year at least,” says the Social Justice Director.The intellectually disabled such as those in BUDS schools or rehabilitation centres who may not require much training but are in need of a platform to showcase their talents as well as NGOs or those in the private sector who provide training to the differently abled will also benefit through the Rhythm Virtual Platform, he explains.An Expression of Interest (EoI) has been invited from experienced agencies/organisations for providing professional video production, live streaming, digital content creation, social media promotion, platform management and related technical services for readying the Rhythm Virtual Platform.An integrated digital media and video-production solution is envisaged for the platform, which will professionally document, showcase, promote and disseminate the talents and performances of the differently abled. Published - September 05, 2026 11:43 am IST