New Delhi: President of India H.E. Smt. Draupadi Murmu in a special message to A.L.P.A.N.A. has written ''I am happy to know that the Association for Learning Performing Arts & Normative Action (A.L.P.A.N.A.) is celebrating its eighteenth International event, SAMBHAV 2023 for Divyang Artists, for renewing their commitment to the empowerment of Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) from 18th to 19th November 2023 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Since its inception, A.L.P.A.N.A. has been working ardently through SAMBHAV, a platform for Divyangjan to showcase their talent and prove to the world that their efforts are not hindered by any kind of obstacles. Guru Alpana Nayak is a professional Odissi Dancer and has contributed immensely to the spread of lndian culture in India and abroad through her dance. I came to know that she is among very few exponents of Odissi dance who train Divyangjan in Indian classical and folk dance forms for their holistic development in society. I extend my warm greetings and felicitations to all thoseassociated with the Association for Learning Performing Arts and Normative Action and wish SAMBHAV 2023 all success.''
Association for Learning Performing Arts & Normative Action (A.L.P.A.N.A.), a Delhi based NGO has been working relentlessly for the empowerment and mainstreaming of Divyangjan (Persons with disabilities) since 2004.
A.L.P.A.N.A. has been organising SAMBHAV, an international event to showcase the talents of Divyangjan through inclusive arts every year since 2006 and SAMBHAV has become a major milestone in renewing India’s commitment for the upliftment of Divyangjan. SAMBHAV which means ''possible'' in Sanskrit language, is a platform to showcase the talents of Divyangjan and to prove to the world that their efforts and courage are not hindered by any kind of obstacles in the form of disabilities.
SAMBHAV 2023, the eighteenth SAMBHAV in a row was planned to celebrate and show case holistic development and inclusive growth of Divyang artists from India and abroad and to be a unique demonstration of the will to succeed irrespective of the region and culture they belong to. It is an attempt to establish global synergy for serving the humankind.
After a gap of three years this year SAMBHAV was held on physical mode on 18 & 19 November 2023 at India International Centre, New Delhi which had participants from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia and Sri Lanka besides groups from Indian States of Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Bengal. SAMBHAV 2023 included International Seminar on ''Divyang Artists with Disabilities for an inclusive society'', Yoga Workshop and Seminar on Yoga, International Exhibition of paintings and artefacts made by Divyang artists, Art & Craft workshop, Workshops on Dance Therapy and Music Therapy, International Events of Performances by Divyang artists from different countries and from different states of India.This year’s SAMBHAV witnessed participation by Divynag artists, trainers, researchers, experts and stakeholders from different parts of the world.
In the morning of 18th November SAMBHAV was launched with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Chief Guest Ms Mamta Dubey, IFS, Former Head of Forest Force, Govt. of U.P. and the Distinguished Guests Ms Nandita Gupta, IAS, Sr Advisor, CMO, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Abhay Kumar, IFS, DDG, ICCR and Shri Sandip Ghosh, Publisher, The Outlook. At the Launching Ceremony participants from all groups wearing their national attire and holding their national flags came to the stage one by one and posed for photographs.
After the Launching Ceremony, International Exhibition of paintings and artefacts made by Divyang artists was unveiled by Ms Shubhrata Prakash, IRS, Commissioner of Income Tax, Govt. of India followed by Dance Therapy workshop conducted by Internationally renowned Kathak Exponent duo Padma Shri Ms Nalini & Kamalini Asthana.
Since teaching of Art & craft is an important curriculum of any training institute for Persons with Disabilities, every year Art and Craft workshops are organised for all the participants of Sambhav. In SAMBHAV 2023 Art & Craft Workshop was conducted by Mrs Alka Agrawal, HoD, faculty of A.L.P.A.N.A. On the second day Dr Anant Gopal from S-Vyasa University, Bangalore conducted Yoga Workshops for the participants which was followed by Seminar on Yoga. Mrs. Bijay Laxmi Hota, Yoga Guru and Author chaired the seminar while Prof Dr Rabindra Acharya of S-VYASA University, Bengaluru presented a well-researched paper on ''Impact of Yoga on Disability''.
After the Yoga session international seminar chaired by Padma Shri Dr. Uma Tuli, Founder & Mg Secy, Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust, Delhi was held. In the seminar seven papers were presented by Ms. Suzanne Louise Whiteman from Australia, Ms. Sudha Joshi from Gujarat, India, Ms. Sudikshya Dongol from Nepal, Ms. Marina Sukharkova from Russia, Ms Devika Seth from Bangladesh, Ms Thushari Fernando from Sri Lanka and Ms Made Widayanti from Indonesia. Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, IAS, Secretary, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India obliged the audience of international seminar with his gracious presence.
In the afternoon a very interesting Music Therapy Workshop was conducted by Ms. Suzanne Louise Whiteman of Alstonville Studio, Australia.
In the evening of both the days amazingly colourful, energetic, vibrant and mesmerizing performances by Divyang artists of twenty two groups from different parts of the world were held. On the first day Shri Apurva Chandra, IAS, Secretary, I&B, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest whereas Dr. P S Gahlaut, MD, Indian Potash Ltd., H.E. Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal to India, Shri Pradeep K Mohanty, Registrar, National School of Drama and Padma Shri Ms Nalini Kamalini Asthana, Kathak Exponent graced the event as Distinguished Guests. In the closing event of SMBHAV 2023 Shri Tarun Bajaj, IAS, Former Revenue Secretary of India was the Chief Guest and Shri Jatindra Swain, IAS, Former Secretary to Govt. of India and Shri Rajeev Sharma, Sr Advisor, Tata Power were the Distinguished Guests.
